A coalition of 11 civil society organizations (CSOs) has called on political parties to prioritize the revitalization of the Aboso Glass Factory as part of efforts to build local capacity for developing renewable energy equipment.
These include the production of solar panels and wind farm components, which are crucial for Ghana’s energy transition. The call was made during a post-manifesto engagement with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Movement for Change in Accra.
Renewable Energy Development Event at Aboso Glass Factory in Ghana
During the event, the CSOs, including the KASA Ghana Initiative, Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas, and Renewable Energy Association of Ghana, emphasized that revamping the glass factory would serve as a foundational step toward advancing renewable energy technology within the country. Denis M. Gyeyir, Senior Africa Programme Officer at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), highlighted that the CSOs had tracked the manifestos of the political parties to ensure their proposals on energy transition, oil and gas, and environmental sustainability were incorporated.
The engagement also focused on the need for innovative approaches to energy transition, including the role of gas, technology transfer, and electric vehicle value chain development. The NDC’s Ashanti Regional Secretary, Kwame Zu, acknowledged the misapplication of state funds but noted that collaborative efforts with private entities would be key to implementing crucial projects. Solomon Owusu of the Movement for Change advocated for considering an independent candidate, emphasizing that after 32 years of NDC and NPP governance, it was time for an alternative leadership approach.
