The Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) has organised a workshop for the departmental heads in the Asante Akim North Municipality Assembly (AANMA) of the Ashanti region.

The workshop was themed Mainstreaming Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Interventions in the Assembly’s Implementation Plans as the two bodies seek to provide solutions to energy crisis.

It formed part of the Network’s vision to achieve environmental sustainability through active youth inclusion in the governance of climate-related thematic areas.

It aims to be a bridge between Ghanaian government and youth on climate and other environmental issues.

To commence the event, the Coordinating Director of the Asante Akyim North Municipal Assembly, Mr. Francis Adu-Boateng on behalf of the assembly welcomed everyone to the capacity-building workshop in the municipality.

He expressed gratitude to the SYND for the collaboration with the assembly to tackle and address issues of climate change and renewable energy (including energy efficiency).

He further noted that the Assembly’s willingness to address climate change issues are clearly stated in their implementation plan.

SYND’s energy team then proceeded to deliver a presentation aimed at educating the departmental heads on various international and national plans and policies that have a bearing on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Following the presentation, the attendees were divided into three groups, and each group was assigned a question to discuss and provide feedback.

The group discussions mainly revolved around actions towards encouraging the promotion of energy efficiency usage in the municipality, most common barriers to achieving energy efficiency and how they can be solved and how to use the Gh – certified appliances app by the energy commission and ‘Adwuma ye magic’ cooking bags.

Materials for the engagement were provided by the Energy Commission.

The event saw a total of 35 participants out of which 29 were males and 6 were females. This included the departmental heads of various working units and some working staff of Asante Akim Municipal Assembly.

On behalf of SYND, the Biodiversity lead, Gifty Agbenyefia expressed gratitude to the Coordinating Director for providing the team with the opportunity to interact with the staff members at the municipal assembly.

She hopes that the knowledge gained from the workshop will be incorporated into their Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) and Annual Action plans.

In conclusion, she expressed optimism about further collaboration with the assembly about addressing issues related to Natural Resources and Environmental Governance (NRE), such as Forestry, Energy, Climate Change, and Biodiversity.