togo: generating energy to fuel campaigns
Electricity shortages are a common phenomenon in many West African countries, specifically Bénin, Togo and Ghana. This leads to frequent and frustrating periods when computers, fax machines and lights can not be used.
what happened: As Togo is not energy sufficient, the country buys extra power from Ghana and the Ivory Coast. In September 2007, the energy shortages led to unprecedented power outages due to the decline of production and distribution capacities at the Akossombo Dam in Ghana, and damage to energy infrastructure in the Ivory Coast.
what changed: When it became clear that the situation would not improve quickly and that this was seriously hampering the group's ability to work, Friends of the Earth Togo requested support for the purchase of a diesel generator.
According to Ekue Assem of FoE Togo, “The purchase of the generator was a big relief for FoE Togo, and meant we could go on with our work. Before the generator, we lost a lot of work when the electricity supply suddenly went off. But we now switch on the generator a few minutes before the power cuts so our work is not disrupted.“
with thanks to our funders: the sigrid rausing trust
