OILWATCH Africa network members, community representatives from oil regions, academia, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, community based organisations, CBOs, and the media met in Accra, Ghana, between September 24 and 27, 2017, and resolved that governments should divest from fossil fuel and invest in renewable energy. It also recommended the peoples’ ownership and control of energy systems.

Besides, the conference said that environmental and social externalities associated with fossil energy extraction be included in the true price of oil;

“Prioritisation of primary economies, such as of fisheries, over the enclave economies of the extractive sector – as a means of protecting the livelihoods and social security of the majority of our citizens; Stoppage of fossil exploration, funding and expansion activities in Africa,” it said.

The conference, which considered the impacts of fossil fuels on the continent, proposed alternatives for decentralised energy systems that are environmentally friendly and socially just.

Oilwatch Africa members also considered the implications of fossil fuels exploitation on primary economies including agriculture, fisheries and livelihoods.

The conference analysed:

1. a) The political and economic interests of the governments and multinational oil companies,
2. b) Political corruption and abuse of political power,
3. c) The rise of human and environmental rights abuses visited on our communities and peoples,
4. d) Issues of land grabbing, displacements and the marginalisation of communities,
5. e) Data paucity on renewable energy resources,
6. f) Abuse of the tools for socio-economic/environmental assessments in interrogating proposed projects,
7. g) Governments investment choices in energy systems are driven by industry and international financial institutions and do not reflect peoples’ energy needs.

Oilwatch Africa affirmed that “leaving fossils fuels in the ground” and replacing with “renewable energy” is possible and an inescapable path to protecting our nations, tackling global warming and securing a future for new generations.

Further, it said leaving fossil fuels in the ground would be a powerful means of mitigating the impact of climate change, noting that its call is in consonance with science.

Sept. 27, 2017 @ 14:52 GMT /