50,000 People In Eastern Ghana Get Internet Connection

Dow is supporting an information and communication infrastructure pilot to reach approximately 50,000 people in Nsutem, Eastern Ghana to support improved internet and data communications connectivity. Dow’s support will help to enable the construction of a renewable energy biomass power facility which will generate sustainable incomes f or thousands of smallholder farmers locally.

Through its local grantee, the Okyeman Environment Foundation (OEF), Dow has enabled the construction of a WiFi network inclusive of hardware, software and deployment of technology to support two base  stations and  18 hot spots to  create an  information and  communication infrastructure pilot  covering  a  collective  area  of  about  15  km  radius  within  surrounding communities of the biomass power facility.

The infrastructure allows approximately 50,000 people to connect to a WiFi network permitting af fordable data communications and internet access. This Project is a grantee of the Dow Business Impact Fund, which has been identifying and funding new projects around the globe that hold the potential to create significant social impact since 2016.

“Access to modern, cleaner energy is essential to human development. For Ghana, and indeed the world over, affordable energy decreases poverty and improves quality of life, be it f or jobs, security, climate  change,  food production or  increasing  incomes,”  said  Adwoa Coleman, Country Manager, Dow Ghana and  Africa Sustainability &  Advocacy Manager, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “Communication infrastructure is also key f or sustainable development. Access to reliable and affordable communication technologies lif ts people out of poverty and helps them to overcome the digital divide. Dow’s 2025 sustainability goals aim to engage f or impact and deliver breakthrough innovations, which is exactly what this project allows us to do.”

Lack of affordable access to electricity and subsequent lack of telecommunication infrastructure form the crux of the digital divide inhibiting poor rural community members from participating in meaningful socio-economic development in this region. To address this problem in a sustainable way, a 40MW biomass power plant is planned to be constructed in Nsutem, Ghana. The project has been sponsored by Village Corps and a Power Africa grant by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and has been advanced through the commitment and support of the Government of Ghana,  the Akyem  Abuakwa  Kingdom and  the Okyeman  Environment Foundation.

The Project will address several UN Sustainable Development Goals, inclusive of #7 and #9 for clean and affordable energy and industry, innovation and infrastructure. The Project will not only drastically increase the access to baseload  renewable electricity, but also will help mitigate climate  change and assist local community members to adapt to a changing climate, which contributes to the Paris Climate Accord.

With  the  Inf ormation  and  Communication  Technologies (ICT)  infrastructure installed  and operational, community members can have affordable data connectivity and will be trained in how to use their phones to benefit from various software solutions to help enable skills development and access to valuable information in areas such as primary education, f arming, and healthcare,” said  Norman  Beaulieu, founder of  Village  Corps.  “WiFi  infrastructure can  no  longer  be considered a luxury, it is now an essential resource, and we believe that this project is taking important steps towards delivering this resource to an under served community.”

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future f or the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners.

Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science -based products and solutions f or its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately  35,700  people. Dow  delivered  sales  of  approximately  $39  billion  in  2020.