In a remarkable demonstration of community-driven sustainability, the Africa Just Transition Network (AJTN) has brought clean, reliable energy to the remote fishing and farming community of Mafikope in Ghana’s Kwahu Afram Plains North District.
Through its Renewable Energy Working Group, AJTN successfully installed a 6 kWp + 10 kWh off-grid rooftop solar system, transforming the local community centre into a beacon of progress and empowerment.
The project, commissioned on October 19, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the push for energy equity and environmental justice across rural Ghana. For the 500 residents of Mafikope a community that has long struggled with limited access to electricity this solar installation is more than just a source of light; it is a gateway to opportunity, education, and economic growth.
Empowering Communities Through Clean Energy
The installation was a joint effort between AJTN and the people of Mafikope. While the community provided the building and local labour support, AJTN funded the solar system, electrical wiring, and setup. The collaboration didn’t stop there — local youth were trained in the operation and maintenance of the system, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative are sustained for years to come.
“This is not just a project; it’s a partnership,” said an AJTN representative. “We believe that communities like Mafikope should not be left behind in the global transition to renewable energy. Access to clean power is a fundamental step toward achieving social and economic inclusion.”
Lighting the Way for Development
The newly electrified community centre is already proving transformative. The system currently powers lighting and electrical sockets across six rooms, making it suitable for evening classes, community meetings, and small-scale businesses. Plans are also underway to equip the space with computers, refrigeration units, and educational resources — all powered by the sun.
“With this project, Mafikope now has a place where children can study after dark, and small entrepreneurs can expand their businesses without relying on expensive fuel generators,” said AJTN’s Renewable Energy Coordinator.
The initiative also supports the community’s ambitions to create a solar-powered cold storage facility for preserving fish and agricultural produce — a game-changing development for local livelihoods.
A Model for Just Transition in Africa
Beyond the immediate benefits, the Mafikope project aligns with Ghana’s broader goals for universal energy access and a just transition to clean energy. By empowering local communities to own and manage renewable systems, AJTN is helping bridge the gap between sustainability and social justice.
“This is what a just transition looks like,” noted the coordinator. “It’s not only about reducing emissions but about lifting people out of energy poverty and creating pathways to dignity and prosperity.”
The success of Mafikope’s solar-powered community centre demonstrates the transformative potential of community-led renewable energy. It offers a replicable model for other off-grid communities across Africa—one where technology, training, and local ownership converge to light up the path toward a brighter, fairer future.
In Mafikope, the sun now sets not into darkness, but into hope. Powered by the people, for the people.