To what extent does gender mainstreaming in energy policies be a tool to address energy access challenges in Ghana?

In the past few decades, there has been growing recognition of the need to ensure that global efforts to transition towards renewable energy does not extend problems or patterns of behaviour that are prevalent in the energy ecosystem such as gender inequality and poverty. With regard to gender inequality in particular, the issue continues to be addressed in various global, regional and policy circles. Countless policy documents, studies, instruments, and research have been devoted to the need to mainstream gender in how countries transition as well as the benefits that are likely to ensure to states that prioritise gender mainstreaming in energy transition. There is no doubt that these developments are necessary and urgent. For developing countries especially Ghana in particular, the benefits that many industry stakeholders agree are likely to result from a committed approach to gender mainstreaming cannot come sooner. This paper seeks to situate the extent to which gender equality and women’s empowerment are incorporated within policy contexts in the global south. Taking policy making in Ghana as an example, this paper seeks to assess Ghana’s energy policies and illustrate the extent to which international documents involving gender equity and women’s empowerment are incorporated in energy access documents, the engagement and participation of women in the formulation of energy policies, and whether these national energy policies meet a broader energy justice conceptual framework, taking into account, the three tenets: distributive, procedural and recognition.