UESD Partners with NGO to Host Summit on Renewable Energy

In a joint effort to promote clean energy and inspire climate action, the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) partnered with environmental advocacy group 350 Ghana to host a dynamic renewable energy summit at the university’s campus in Somanya, Eastern Region. The event served as a platform to translate global climate commitments into actionable strategies tailored for Ghana’s renewable energy future.

Under the theme “Powering the Future: Transforming COP29 Pledges into Renewable Energy Action,” the summit attracted a diverse audience of stakeholders, including energy experts, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, students, and representatives from basic schools within the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities. The goal was clear: to move beyond promises and into the realm of implementation, aligning national efforts with the outcomes of COP29 held in Azerbaijan.

The summit opened with remarks from Charles Wundengba, Head of Communications at 350 Ghana, who emphasized the urgency of turning global commitments into practical solutions. “Leaders across the world have made bold pledges to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, boost clean energy investments, and ensure energy justice. However, we must shift from mere declarations to actions that make a difference in our communities,” he said.

Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Vice-Chancellor of UESD, welcomed attendees by reaffirming the university’s role in advancing sustainable development and environmental innovation. He noted that UESD’s mission aligns with both national policies and international efforts to address climate change through the adoption of renewable energy. “This summit is not just a conversation—it’s a call to collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and tangible progress,” he stated.

The event featured three thematic panel discussions that explored key challenges and opportunities in Ghana’s clean energy transition. Discussions focused on the role of regional governance in accelerating renewable energy adoption, strategies to finance the energy shift, the importance of youth involvement, and the need for gender equity and community empowerment within the energy sector.

One of the focal points was how Africa, and Ghana in particular, can mobilize domestic solutions to global climate issues. John Agyekum Kufuor Jnr, Head of Finance at 350 Ghana, addressed the financial barriers that limit access to renewable technologies, especially in low-income communities. He proposed tax incentives and innovative financing mechanisms as crucial tools for making renewable energy affordable and scalable. “Without appropriate financial support and enabling policies, the energy transition will remain out of reach for many,” he warned.

Kufuor also advocated for the inclusion of young people in environmental policymaking, noting that they bring valuable perspectives and long-term stakes to the conversation. He urged institutions—both academic and governmental—to create inclusive platforms where the youth can contribute ideas and take leadership roles in climate advocacy, particularly as preparations for COP30 intensify.

In addition to financing and youth inclusion, the panels addressed social justice in the energy space. Speakers emphasized the importance of gender equality in the clean energy movement and discussed community-led initiatives that empower women and marginalized groups to actively participate in and benefit from renewable energy projects.

As the summit concluded, participants agreed on the need for continued collaboration among academia, civil society organizations, local authorities, and international partners to ensure Ghana’s energy future is both sustainable and inclusive. There was a strong consensus that the transformation of global climate pledges into real-world outcomes depends on education, policy innovation, and grassroots engagement.

The UESD-350 Ghana Renewable Energy Summit marked a critical milestone in Ghana’s climate journey. By bridging the gap between international climate diplomacy and local implementation, the summit ignited a shared commitment to building a future powered by clean, equitable, and resilient energy solutions.