CIWED Ghana organized a series of community entry activities in five selected communities within the Nanton District, namely Johan Jouri Kukuo (JJK), Kparigilanyili, Digi, Gbumgbum, and Afayili. The purpose of the engagement was to officially introduce the project to the selected VSLA women’s groups and key community stakeholders, create awareness about the project goals and objectives, and strengthen community understanding, ownership, and participation in the implementation process.

The community entry meetings brought together VSLA women’s groups, community leaders, opinion leaders, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare, and other key stakeholders. The sessions provided an opportunity for project staff and stakeholders to interact directly with beneficiaries and clarify the purpose and expected outcomes of the project.

During the meetings, the Executive Director of CIWED Ghana, Mr. Baako Abdul-Fatawu, briefed the women’s groups and community members on the overall goal and objectives of the project. He carefully explained each project objective in the local language to ensure that all participants clearly understood the purpose, expected benefits, and activities of the intervention. He emphasized the importance of active participation and encouraged the women to take full advantage of the opportunities and capacity-building activities that would be implemented under the project. He further reminded the groups that they were fortunate to be selected as beneficiaries and encouraged them to remain committed and actively involved throughout the implementation period.

On her part, Mrs. Bashiru Mardia, the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Manager and Project Coordinator, welcomed participants and officially launched the project activities within the communities. She highlighted the major activities planned under the three-year project, including women’s empowerment initiatives, leadership development, financial literacy training, livelihood support activities, advocacy, and community development interventions. She also encouraged the women’s groups to work together, support one another, and actively contribute to the successful implementation of the project.

The District Director of Social Welfare for the Nanton District Alhaji Alhassa Haruna Osman also addressed the participants and encouraged the groups to fully participate in all project activities. He emphasized that the project was designed to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their social and economic well-being. He therefore urged the women to take the project seriously, participate actively, and apply the knowledge and skills they would acquire for the benefit of their families and communities.

The community entry activities in  Nanton District were successfully conducted across all five communities. The engagements increased awareness and understanding of the project among beneficiaries and stakeholders. The women’s groups expressed excitement and appreciation for the intervention and demonstrated willingness to actively participate in the project activities. Community leaders and stakeholders also pledged their support to ensure smooth implementation and sustainability of the project.

The community entry activities served as an important foundation for building trust, strengthening community ownership, and creating awareness about the project in the selected communities. The strong participation and positive response from the women’s groups and stakeholders demonstrate readiness and commitment toward the successful implementation of the project in the Nanton District.

CIWED Ghana has intensified community education and marketing activities to increase awareness and sales of its solar home system products across target communities in Northern Ghana. The initiative forms part of the organization’s ongoing renewable energy intervention being implemented with support from the World Bank through the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP). The project seeks to promote access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean energy solutions for underserved households and communities.

As part of the activity, CIWED Ghana organized a series of community engagement and sensitization sessions aimed at educating community members on the benefits of solar lamps and solar home systems. The education focused on how solar energy can improve household lighting, support small businesses, enhance children’s learning at night, and reduce dependence on kerosene lamps, candles, and unreliable national electricity supply. Demonstrations of the solar products were conducted to allow community members to better understand the functionality, durability, and cost-effectiveness of the systems.

During the engagements, community members were informed about the long-term economic and environmental benefits of adopting solar energy solutions. Discussions highlighted how mini-grid and solar systems provide a more reliable and affordable alternative to the national electricity system, which is often affected by power fluctuations, outages, and high maintenance costs. The project also emphasized the role of renewable energy in improving livelihoods, reducing energy poverty, and promoting environmental sustainability.

The activity attracted strong interest and participation from households, women’s groups, youth, local leaders, and small business operators, many of whom expressed appreciation for the practical benefits of the solar systems. CIWED Ghana remains committed to expanding access to clean and sustainable energy solutions while continuing community education and awareness creation to increase the adoption of renewable energy technologies in underserved communities.