CAPACITY BUILDING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY EDUCATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

“Bioenergy and education of its use has the potential of solving numerous prob-lems in the developing countries including poverty and lack of food.” This was an idea introduced to me by one of the pioneers of bioenergy programs, Juha Soilio. The concept of bioenergy interest me highly and as a marketer, finding a solution to the big issues through business and marketing was an intriguing thought.

Today the importance of energy has become more and more discussed in the public. A growing amount countries have become energy conscious setting en-ergy goals in a result of decreasing energy sources. The concept of energy is important because it affects a country as a whole. Energy consumption effects productivity, economic growth, global networking as well as its adverse effects on climatic change. How does energy link to education? The power of education can also be considered as important or even more important. The need for renewable energy education and training at all levels is globally recognized. During the last three decades a large number of countries across the globe have initiated aca-demic programs on renewable energy technologies and related aspects. Without sufficient training or education innovative energy solutions can’t be used effec-tively. In a nutshell education also effects a country as a whole, linking to a coun-try’s economic growth, employment and productivity.

The aim of this thesis is to point out the need for renewable energy education in Ghana and to study the possibilities of education export from Finland. BioSampo, a vocational education provider from Kouvola, was chosen as a case subject.

Ghana was chosen as the target country based on personal and professional interest. Ghana is currently facing a severe energy shortage as a result of ineffi-cient energy resources and growing energy consumption. If new technologies are applied the need for education is inevitable. There is ongoing cooperation with Ghana from a handful of schools in Finland but more can be done. In general African countries have not been included in high demand business plans. It is important to include Africa to the scene and examine the potentials while still re-maining relevantly untouched by the big masses.

The first chapters of this thesis work will review the energy situation in Ghana and provide insight to the role of renewable energy sources as well as the importance of education in the renewable energy scene. The following chapters will issue the education export situation in Finland and provide the reader with an example case, BioSampo. In conclusion this thesis work provides suggestions for Finnish educational institutions in marketing educational programs in Ghana.

Qualitative research method was chosen for this thesis. The method was chosen because qualitative research aims for studying the object or subject comprehen-sively. Qualitative research methods usually include inductive approaches and information is often gathered through interviews, documents or discussions. Compared to the quantitative research method, the qualitative research provides the researcher flexibility to change plans according to circumstances.

It is important to note that previous studies regarding education export to Ghana have not been presented. On the other hand numerous studies about renewable energy solutions and about the severe energy shortage have been published. The studies include, among others, numerous PhD, Thesis and Masters works. The information in this thesis was discovered through various sources. Multiple internet sources were consulted including various research papers. I visited the premises of BioSampo in October 2015. The head of BioSampo, Juha Soilio, introduced and explained the concept of BioSampo and their different education packages. I was also able to travel to Accra, Ghana during December 2015. I was able to observe the culture and fortunate to interview Sakeena Twumasi from CREEI (Center for Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship and Innovation). Mrs. Twumasi is the Production Manager of Atlas Business and Energy System Lim-ited (ABES) as well as a Principal Lecturer for CREEI. She is an expert in photo-voltaic system, design and installation. Her expertise in the renewable energy education scene enabled me to understand the energy situation in Ghana thor-oughly.