Climate change advocacy group, 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon (350 GROC) has been awarded the Renewable Energy Heroes by 350 Africa and the Afrika Vuka Network.

The award highlights 350 GROC's dedication to promoting renewable energy adoption and use across Ghana.

Communications Manager of 350 GROC, Charles Wundengba announced the recognition at a press conference in Accra.

According to him, "this award holds special significance because it recognizes the collective contributions of every volunteer within our organization," Wundengba stated.

350 GROC has been a leading advocate for sustainable, community-centered, and equitable energy access in Ghana. The organisation boasts a network of 150 members, including university associations, community leaders, religious leaders, and women's groups.

Their flagship initiatives, such as the Renewable Energy for Communities campaign and the Women in Renewable Energy project, have had a profound impact. For instance, the Renewable Energy for Schools project has empowered 10,000 students from various educational levels with knowledge and skills in renewable energy.

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National Coordinator for 350 GROC, Portia Adu Mensah explained that the award underscores 350 GROC's unique projects like solar for slums, renewable energy artivism, and their efforts in capacity-building, which have reached over 3,000 students and 1,000 community members in solar lamp creation and usage.

Additionally, the Women in Renewable Energy project has significantly benefited 1,500 women nationwide.

Mrs explained the importance of collaboration with stakeholders including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Energy Commission in ensuring the alignment of projects.

"Because in as much as we are pushing these things in the communities, we know that the policymakers are the ones in charge of policy. So if the community folk accept it and there is no policy revolving around it, it still will not yield any fruits."

"What we are going to do is to be able to showcase the award to the organisations, the government institutions that this is the work of 350 GROC, in collaboration with them, pushing for renewable energy at the grassroots level," she said.

However, alongside their celebration, 350 GROC called on the Ghanaian government to be more proactive in meeting its renewable energy targets.

"While celebrating our achievements, we also call on the Ghanaian government to be proactive in achieving its renewable energy goals. Unfortunately, the target of 10% non-hydro RE integration in our energy mix by 2020 remains unmet. We urge realistic goal-setting and intentional efforts to promote renewable energy adoption," Mr Wundengba urged on Friday, May 31.

The press conference was attended by members, partners, stakeholders and journalists.