Persons with Disability (PWDs) are likely to depend on carbon-intensive energy sources, and face financial barriers in transitioning to cleaner energy, was a statement that remained etched in my mind.
It was a surprise when Dr. Clement Sichimwa, Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) Zambia Coordinator, stated that in the National Energy Policy for Zambia, 2019, the word disability was challenging to find in the entire policy, yet globally, one-sixth of the world’s population live with some form of a disability. Despite the importance of involving people with disabilities in discussions around low carbon transitions, policymakers seem to miss this important but key demography.
It is with this understanding that the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) and Strathmore Energy Research Centre, in collaboration with Loughborough University, championed a scoping workshop dubbed “Disability in Energy Transition.” The workshop brought together African partners from Zambia, Malawi, Ghana and Kenya to initiate discussions on improving disability sensitivity, awareness and advocacy in the decarbonisation agenda.
“We think of disability as a silo, as an independent group, or an independent thematic area, and we seldom think about disability as an intersection of other aspects of our life, especially climate change and energy transitions,” said Dr. Gerald Arhin, Research Fellow, CCG. Cool, calm and collected, yet oozing with passion for Persons with Disability, a journey he continues to walk himself, Dr. Arhin emphasized the importance that all policies created by governments need to be inclusive, just and accessible for all.
The timely discussions among Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya focused on fostering cross-country knowledge exchange on disability inclusion in energy initiatives. These dialogues aimed to identify common patterns and disparities, develop targeted interventions to bridge knowledge gaps and co-develop a research and action agenda.
To co-create needs interactions, the scoping workshop provided opportunities for the different countries to mingle, discuss and share experiences from their home countries through panel discussions and break-out sessions. The workshop itself provided valuable lessons on seamlessly integrating persons with disabilities into everyday life, offering practical insights and real-time learning experiences.
During the feedback session, Mawunyo Kuma Yakor – Dagbah from the Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism highlighted how persons with disabilities are not able to completely use the Smart Electric Metering System application independently that is used in various countries, including Kenya. Championing the independence of persons with disabilities is one of the areas that a just transition in the energy sector should encompass.
Nina Akosua Efedi Okorafor, a member of the Ghana Blind Union, emphasized the need for a comparative analysis to map existing policies across African partner countries, highlighting gaps in disability inclusion and unique challenges. This knowledge will promote, influence and generate impact-based projects that bring up advocacy and awareness to ensure future policies reflect the voice of persons with disabilities.
As the sun set and ideas emerged, it was crystal clear that embedding Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion within future policy formulation is paramount to ensure we shift from accommodating Persons with Disabilities to actively empowering them in the just transition agenda.
Article written by Anne Njeri, Communications Officer, Strathmore Energy Research Centre
