Work

Navigating electricity infrastructure access in Africa: An analysis of the politics of rural electrification programmes in Tolon District, Ghana

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Access to electricity infrastructure has been highlighted as a catalyst for socioeconomic development in Africa. Despite growing political demand for community connection, academic scholarship has given it limited attention. Using a concurrent mixed-methods approach, this paper explored the political drivers of rural electricity demand in the Tolon District of Northern Ghana. Political visits and campaign periods were found to be the most reliable platforms for rural communities’ demands. Partisan and other political factors are key drivers of this demand. To address this, the capacities of decentralised institutions like the DA should be built alongside the Ministry of Energy, focusing on RE policymaking while decentralising planning and connection to the DA. This can reduce centralisation and politicisation by enhancing grassroots participation, promoting the reliability of decentralised institutions. Additionally, RE infrastructure programmes should focus on socio-economic and institutional aspects to be responsive to rural communities’ diverse expectations.

Source: Journal of Planning and Land Management

DOI: 10.36005/jplm.v4i1.94

Authors: Yussif Abdallah, Frank K. Teng-Zeng, Francis N. Sanyare

Institution: Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environment Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4412961395

FWCI: 0.228

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10