04/03/2024
By Kelly Craig
What: "Energy in Africa - Equity in a Just Transition"
Who: Richard O. Agjei, University of Education Winneba in Ghana
When: Tuesday, April 9, 2 to 3 p.m.
Where: Southwick 240
ABSTRACT:
Access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa has improved tremendously over the last decade, with significant growth in access. However, while energy consumption has increased, it has not increased equitably. This talk will address the fundamentals of energy in Africa, identifying opportunities and discussing the impacts of shifting collective focus to energy security at the expense of equity. Agjei will discuss why energy equity has stalled around the world after a challenging four years, and the need for a faster and more inclusive transition to deliver a sustainable, secure and fair energy future apart from the ‘New Solution to Power Africa: Productive Use of Renewable Energy.’ This talk will include a discussion with individuals with field-specific expertise and international experience that have much to contribute to this important subject.
BIOSKETCH:
Richard O. Agjei holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from University of Central Nicaragua, a M.Sc. in Public Health from Imperial College London, a M.Sc. in Chemistry from University of Eastern Finland, and a PGCE from Finland’s Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. He has obtained professional training on Leadership and Management in Health and Epidemiology for Global Health from the University of Washington, USA. He is currently a lecturer and Research Associate at University of Education Winneba in Ghana. As a Global health specialist and Epidemiologist in UEW’s Department of Health Administration and Education and reviewer for multiple journal publications, Agjei brings an interdisciplinary lens to equitable, affordable energy and climate solutions with his expertise and perspective in Public Health. With this multidisciplinary approach, Agjei has established academic research and teaching partnerships with many universities and academic centers in Finland, Germany, UK, Africa and most recently here at UML. Agjei has also served as Chairman of the funding committee of the Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation (CEMRI). He is currently coordinating two ERASMUS+ funded projects; the REVIVER project focuses on enriching soil health, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable practices, and the Green Gamings project, which focuses on using a gamification approach to tackle climate change.