LAUSR

Abstract This paper examines (i) energy policies and plans and their foci on addressing gender-energy needs for productive uses, (ii) the fuels utilised by men and women for productive use at the rural non-farm economy (RNFE), and (iii) the factors that influence their choice for the fuels as well as response of energy policies to gender energy needs. Using the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality as a case, primary data was obtained from 256 enterprise operators and relevant institutions using the explanatory sequential mixed methodology. The paper showed that energy access policies in Ghana fail to clearly promote gender inclusivity in terms of identifying energy needs of men and women as well as their access for productive purposes. Energy use was observed to vary across genders and enterprises where women largely used solid fuels while men used cleaner fuels. The use of energy services for productive purposes in the RNFE was gendered similar to the reasons for utilising a fuel type. The paper concludes that policy interventions should identify gendered energy needs to address energy poverty between men and women.