Energy efficiency awareness and assertiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa households: The case of Ghana

Sub-Saharan Africa residential sector consumes over 40 % of the overall energy generated in the economies. The 3-Elements Model of occupant behaviour change affirm that the effective synergies between; materials; competence; and meanings, of energy efficiency options are fundamental in guaranteeing uptake towards energy security and environmental sustainability. Based on this conceptualization, the study examined the state of building occupants' awareness and assertiveness on energy efficiency and perceived energy related choices based on the awareness. The objectives were to determine the awareness levels, assertiveness of households and the potential obstacles limiting the uptake of energy efficiency. Structured questionnaires from 1020 building occupants selected through stratified sampling from Accra, Kumasi and Tamale cities representing the three climatic belts of Ghana were assessed. Analysis were conducted on the means and frequencies using SPSS version 23. Key findings indicate 63.6 % awareness levels of occupants on energy efficiency. However, majority (44.4 %) are only willing to replace existing inefficient appliances when they fail to function. Additionally, 51.7 % live in rented homes and hence are unlikely to invest into EE in rented buildings. Again, only 15.4 % of the respondents consider energy efficiency when purchasing appliances while majority (39.8 %) of the respondents have only “second hand” appliances in the homes. The study recommends the urgent need for “government quadrilemma” (educational, financial, technical and enforcement) program to ensure maximum uptake of EE options in SSA households.