The Odeibea Foundation has launched an Energy Equity Project in the rural communities of Twumwaase and Apeboaso in the Ashanti Region, delivering solar-powered streetlights, household solar bulbs, and hands-on vocational training to support teenage girls.
The initiative forms part of the foundation’s broader strategy to bridge the energy access gap in underserved farming and galamsey-prone areas while tackling intersecting challenges of climate change, poverty, and gender inequality.
Madam Patricia Odeibea Bekoe, Executive Director of the nonprofit organisation, described the intervention as a “bold step” toward sustainable community transformation.

She said: “Our mission is clear. We aim to build community resilience by integrating clean energy solutions with gender-responsive programmes that touch on economic empowerment, reproductive health, and climate education.”
She emphasised that, “The Energy Equity Project is more than just solar lights. It is about transforming lives, empowering girls with knowledge and skills, addressing deeply rooted social issues, and building sustainable communities where no one is left behind.”
The project saw the installation of solar-powered streetlights to boost nighttime safety and accessibility, while selected teenage girls were trained in sustainable bead-making, a creative, income-generating skill aimed at fostering financial independence.

Meanwhile, the training also unearthed serious social issues as some participants shared stories of poverty-driven early pregnancy and a worrying trend of girls being introduced to family planning methods as early as age 10.
Residents also expressed the need for continuous mentorship and requested the establishment of a dedicated community centre to support ongoing training and personal development.
Community feedback further revealed the desire for solar-powered hubs equipped with televisions, mobile charging points, and educational resources.
Residents raised growing concerns over the environmental and economic impacts of illegal mining, calling for future interventions to address galamsey-related challenges.

The Odeibea Foundation plans to scale up the initiative to other underserved communities in Ghana, cementing its role as a key player in the nation’s just energy transition and community empowerment movement.