The project is not limited to making solar lamps accessible for schoolchildren in Ghana, but encompasses a range of measures including:

•  Supply of solar lamps of the latest technological standard, therefore giving the user a product of advanced technology, as well as the continuous evolution of solar lamps through SOLUX e.V.

•  Widening of the product range of lamps offered leading to a product family with different lamp sizes to accommodate diverse usage requirements, and the recognition of additional requirements such as "charging mobile phones".


•  Education measures at schools.
•  Consulting services for schools for financing measures, including the introduction of micro credits for solar lamps.
•  Provision of service for solar lamps and establishment of workshops.
•  Assembling, production and sale of solar lamps in Ghana.

PROJECT LAUNCH

DAILY GUIDE, GHANA, Solar Light Project Launched, Tuesday, 31 March 2009

SOLAR4GHANA LIMITED in collaboration with Solux e.V, a non-governmental organization (NGO) from Germany, has launched the "One-Child-One Solar light" project in Accra.

The project aims at providing portable solar lamps to school children and their families in rural areas that do not have access to the electric grid.

Explaining why school children were the target of the project, Frank Kwansah, the Marketing Manager for Solar4Ghana Limited said, "it has been observed that because a large number of Ghanaian school children do not have access to electricity, they tend to use kerosene, lanterns, which exposes them to many hazards".

He said the output of some of these children, academically, is low since in the absence of good source of light, they are not able to do their homework and other out of school activities effectively. He noted that "the introduction and use of our Solux-LED-50 solar lamps would entirely eliminate these challenges school children face." The project, he stated, intends to use the existing infrastructure that schools provide to form the basis of a countrywide programme to convince school children and their families of the usefulness and cost effectiveness of solar lamps to create awareness of the use of new environmentally friendly technologies. "For this purpose we have developed together with Ghanaian Teachers, special information and education materials, like posters, flyers and manuals."

Mr. Kwansah indicated that the introduction of solar lamps in developing countries on a large scale is no longer a question of technology or price but a question of convincing people about the advantage of using solar energy instead of kerosene for lightening and that it will pay off within a short time to invest in a solar lamp.

The project, he noted, will build on independent sales organizations which in corporation with local companies, micro financing organizations and schools, will sustain the sale of lamps.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, the Managing Director for Solar4Ghan Ltd., Nana Asante Frempong said his desire to make an impact on society, motivated him to help children in deprived communities. He was hopeful that the solar lights would help to improve the lives of children who do not have access to electricity.

By Esther Awuah





Project Launch at the Ghana International Press Center, Accra, Thursday, 26th March 2009

Mr. Frank Kwansah. Marketing Manager S4G
Mr. Jürgen Meinecke, Project Manager SOLUX
Mr. Andrew Lawson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Energy Commission
Nana Akuoko Sarpon-Agogohene, Special Guest of Hono, Member of Council of State, Ghana
Nana Asante Frempong, Managing Director of S4G








Project Launch at Kutunse D/A Schools, Thursday, 26th March 2009
More photos...

WORKSHOP ON SOLAR LANTERNS, KUMASI, GHANA, 17TH – 18TH JULY 2009

The workshop on solar lanterns was held by Solar4Ghana Ltd. (S4G) for the Christian Mothers’ Association – Ghana (CMA) in Kumasi from 17th – 18th of July 2009.

As part of its project "One Child One Solarlight", S4G has appointed CMA as Agents to sell solar lanterns throughout all dioceses in which CMA operates in Ghana. Both partners have agreed to educate the leadership of CMA on the advantage of the use of the SOLUX-LED-50 lamps by organizing a workshop on solar lanterns.

The objectives of the workshop in detail were to
•  introduce the technique and background of solar lanterns
•  introduce methods of marketing and advertising
•  inform about financing
•  network between involved persons from CMA and S4G
•  train the participants as Solar-Trainer
•  distribute the necessary training and advertising material

Each of the 19 CMA dioceses sent 3 persons to take part in the workshop. The leadership of the workshop included Frank Kwansah, Jeremiah Aflakpui, Cecilia Yankey and Dora Okyere from S4G, Elizabeth Addai-Boateng from CMA and Christiane Barchewitz as coordinator/trainer from S4G. This team and the 57 participants stayed and worked in the Christian Village Guest House / Leadership Training Centre of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi for two days.

The workshop began Friday morning with welcome words from the S4G and CMA team and the Managing Director S4G, Nana Asante Frempong. A power point presentation gave an introduction on the "advantages of mobile solar lanterns", followed by a lecture about technique and function of solar lanterns. The participants were motivated to contribute comments and ideas in the discussion about solar light. After this theoretical introduction a practical part followed. The participants were split up into 5 groups.

The groups worked out answers to questions concerning the following topics:
Sun and solar light in general, frequently asked questions concerning the solar lantern and advantages of the solar lantern. The participants posed questions, explained what they had already learned and tried out with the help of solar toys the function of the solar lantern.

In the afternoon Members of CMA held a lecture about insider rules and schemes of financing the solar lantern. Again the participants discussed in groups the financial advantages of using solar lantern instead of kerosene lamps and presented the results of what they have learned during the lectures and discussions. In the late afternoon the participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire about lighting devices in their

The next day started with an introduction in methods of marketing and advertising. The participants prepared their selling event in their own diocese. With help of role playing some of the participants presented the solar lantern to the plenum. Objective was to sell the solar lantern with appropriate arguments and to convince the customers to buy a lantern. The arguments were strong and the theatrical performance very convincing. Finally there was a feedback on each presentation and on the whole workshop. At the end of the workshop on Saturday noon, every participant received a "Certificate for Solar-Trainer" and information, teaching and advertising material as well as 40 SOLUX-LED-50 to be sold in each diocese.

Feedback and summary
The feedback of the workshop team and the participants was pleasant. The participants stated that it was a successful workshop where they learned a lot and got new information which will help them to sell the solar lantern in their diocese. The organisation and coordination was good and all participants were satisfied. The step by step introduction and the group work was effective. They received enough information material and contact addresses that helps them in case of lack of knowledge or other questions.

The participants worked concentrated and they were interested in the subject. At the same time the workshop was very lively with good mood and a learn effect for everybody. The following statements showed the passion of the participants and strength to convince: "…women let us think…our children can burn (with kerosene)…invest in your children (buy a solar lantern)…so they can learn and get professionals!" Due to these arguments S4G was satisfied with the workshop and plans to organize more events of this kind.