GHANA'S RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

ABSTRACT Renewable energy resources in the form of fuelwood, charcoal and direct sunshine provide most of Ghana's energy requirements. Fuelwood and charcoal to gether contribute over 80% of the country's energy consumption and enormous amounts of natural sunshine are used for both domestic, agricultural and industrial activities. However, the continued supply of woodfuels is threatened by deforestation and desertification which are being accelerated by the rapidly expanding population, timber operations and shifting agricultural cultivation. The excessive and inefficient burning of woodfuels, especially during charcoal production and use is also putting pressure on the country's forests and causing considerable environmental degradation. Ghana's Renewable Energy Development Programme aims to assess the availability of renewable energy resources; to examine the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of promising renewable energy technologies; to ensure the efficient production and use of the country's renewable energy resources; and develop the relevant information base that will facilitate the establishment of a planning framework for the rational development and use of the country's renewable energy resources.