Think Energy Opens Nominations for $1million SDGs Awards

In this age of life-threatening energy crises the world over, environmental degradation, depletion of the ozone layer, and the attendant threat to human existence, it is just apt that greater human resources and energies are invested comprehensively in a concerted effort to save mankind. It is therefore commendable that Think Energy is committed to supporting energy initiatives in Africa through its one million dollars ($1M) SDGs Awards, for which nominations have opened.

What is more unique about the Think Energy Summit is that it is a local initiative with a global reach. Think Energy (A subsidiary of AGREE Limited) aims to bring together academic and industry players to formulate a lasting solution to the many energy-related glitches in Africa through its annual Think Energy Summit.

The 2021 Think Energy Summit, which was held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra-Ghana, brought together leaders from the energy sector and academia to deliberate on the future of the sector, as it relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Africa (SDGs) 7 and 13, and to a large extent bridge the yawning gap between industry and academia in critical areas such as climate change and environmentally-friendly energy sources.

In a keynote address read on his behalf, Ghana’s Energy Minister disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic, and attempts at energy transition had taught the world that the global energy sector was, after all, not as resilient as one would have taught. He consequently challenged academia to delve more into research work that would meet the demands of the times, and assured of his Ministry’s readiness to support any such endeavor.

This year’s summit (Think Energy 2022) is more extensive, as it hopes to promote SDGs 4 (Education), 7 (Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Change), 14 (Life Under Water) and 17 (Partnership). It will feature an award jury committee of experts, and hopes to reward individuals and institutions /organizations whose contributions in the energy sector have either made tremendous impact or are envisioned towards renewable energy, the environment, and the future of humanity. The 2022 SDGs Award will climax this year’s Think Energy’s Summit, which includes the Energy Expo, the CEO & Vice Chancellors Summit, the National Energy Quiz and The Think Energy SDGs Award. The essence of the quiz is to impart behavioral attitudes towards energy-related issues in schools in Ghana and Africa.

Best and deserving projects and individuals for every category shall receive prestigious awards at an exquisite dinner event at a location to be announced later. A total of one USD 1 million will be awarded to entries in various categories from academia and the corporate/public sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Think Energy SDGs Awards is a global prestigious award which is designed to celebrate and honour corporate and academic institutions working together to achieve global leadership on SDGs 4,7,13, 14 and 17. It recognizes academic and corporate/public organizations providing leadership and demonstrated innovative, impactful and sustainable solutions in addressing inequalities, equitable access to energy education on SDGs across Africa.

The Think Energy SDGs Award will be receiving entries in the following categories: Teaching/Learning Award, Research Award, Energy Curriculum Award, Energy Infrastructure Award, Communication Award, Energy Media Personality of the Year Award, Oil Company Award, Automobile Award, Transition Captains Award, Public Sector Award Financial Services Award and Company of The Year Award.

The crack panel of judges for the 2022 Think Energy SDGs Awards include some distinguished personalities in industry and academia such as: Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, CEO of National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hon. William Owuraku Aidoo, Deputy Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament of Ghana, Florence Nuamah-Agyei who is HR Director at GRIDCo, Dr. Robert Bright Mawuko Sogbadji who is Deputy Director, Power (Nuclear and Alternative Energy) and Principal Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Francis Kemausuor who is Director (The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre), Professor Onwona-Agyeman, Provost-College of Basic and Applied Sciences (Board Member, Cyber Security Authority), Linda Wayoe MBA MCBIS who is Director, AM Group, among others.