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Renewable energy is predicted to play a crucial role in the energy sector as transitioning from fossil fuels to biofuels is key to achieving carbon neutrality. The comprehensive utilization of livestock manure and crop residues as a viable source of biofuels can play a significant role in Ghana's future energy system. This current study aims to examine and predict the biofuel potential in Ghana from animal manure and crop residues. The biogas-biomethane potential of animal manure is determined using anaerobic digestion technology, whereas crop residues' bioethanol potential is assessed using computational and analytical approaches. The findings demonstrate that animal manure biogas potential is 237.72 normal million cubic meters (NMm3). The highest manure-biogas potential per animal is from cattle (27.15 Nm3) and pigs (18.15 Nm3), while the least contribution is from chickens (1.80 Nm3). In addition, the annual bioethanol production is 3.74 gigaliters (GL), and residues from maize (0.88 GL), yams (0.82 GL), and plantains (0.47 GL) had the largest share per annum. By 2100, Ghana has the potential to produce 1288.56 NMm3 of manure-based biogas which can offset 13.88% of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption. The biogas potential positively correlates with the biomethane potential of 901.99 NMm3. Furthermore, 91.85% of the 14.76 GL of bioethanol will be from food crop residues. This study provides critical information to lawmakers and energy planners with strategies to achieve energy security and minimize the ecological footprint in an optimistic scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient utilization of crop straw is a determining factor for cleaner production and sustainable development in Ghana's agricultural sector. However, extensive field burning of crops straw is hampering the effective utilization of straw resources in the Northern region of Ghana. The aim of this research was to identify rural households' crops straw utilization methods and investigate the occurrence as well as effects of crops straw burning. Cross-sectional data collected from 384 farmer households' in Yendi municipality, Saboba and Tatale-Sanguli districts in the Northern region of Ghana were analyzed with Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The total crop yield for major cereals and legumes produced was 1.29 kton with a total crop straw yield of 3.05 kton. Cereals straw contributed the highest yield percentage of 56.4% while legume straw contribution was 43.6%. About 1.23kton (40.3%) of straws from major cereals and legumes were utilized for different purposes such as returning to the field to enrich the soil, fodder for livestock, cooking fuel, sale and other traditional purposes. The remaining 1.82kton (59.7%) of crop straws were burnt on the field. The percentages of straw burnt on the field for each crop were 77.6% for maize, 58.6% for sorghum, 56.5% groundnut, 49.7% for millet, 47.4% cowpea, 42.2% for rice and 41.4% for soybean. Farming and farm size are the key influencing factors that affect straw burning. Open field burning of straws caused a decline in yield for about 65.7% of respondents. The present findings indicates that utilization of crop straw in the Northern region of Ghana is poorly practiced and needs to be encouraged because of its associated benefits. Government of Ghana needs to develop appropriate policies and legislative measures to encourage effective utilization of straw and prohibit field burning of straws. • Different straw utilization methods are identified in the study area. • Straw utilization methods identified are poorly practiced. • Large proportions of straw are burnt on the farm by farmers or hunters. • Straw burning has negative effects on human and the environment. • Farming and farm size are determinant for future occurrence of burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass plays a dual role as an energy source and a solution for climate change mitigation. There are complexities surrounding decentralized electricity generation, and Ghana could not achieve its 10% renewable energy target in 2020. The paper assesses the greenhouse gas mitigation potential and economic impact of electricity from major food crop residues subjected to anaerobic digestion technology in 16 regions and 88 districts in Ghana from 2017 to 2020. Buswell equation was applied to calculate the biogas and methane yield. The environmental impact assessment was expressed as global warming potential, and the economic feasibility was conducted. The results showed that crop residues' annual theoretical and technical potential was 28.92 Mt and 17.24 Mt. The top four residues with the largest share of technical potential were maize (5.41 Mt), yam (3.58 Mt), plantain (3.05 Mt) and cassava (2.39 Mt). Biogas and electricity potentials were 1,912.74 Mm3 and 3,068.34 GWh, which could offset 15.56% of electricity consumption in Ghana. The Ashanti (478.18 GWh), Eastern (430.20 GWh), Bono East (318.29 GWh) and Northern (314 GWh) regions demonstrated the highest electricity potential. Ghana could generate the highest electricity potential of 46.52 GWh in the districts and a minimum potential of 0.89 GWh annually. Power generation potential from anaerobic digestion had a diesel displacement capacity of 923.35 × 10 6 L with a GHG emissions reduction of 2,507.35 kt CO 2 eq. The largest GHG reduction potential was 38.15 kt CO 2 eq at the district level. The findings show that the project is economically viable, with an average net present value of $ 10,105,904 per region and an electricity cost of $ 0.0321/kWh. The study provides critical insights to policymakers and industry developers for decentralized biomass-based electricity generation in Ghana. • A sustainable crop residue assessment is conducted in Ghana. • The total biogas-based electricity is 3,068.34 GWh. • Ashanti region has high electricity (478.18 GWh) than Greater Accra (9.82 GWh). • The total GHG mitigation is estimated as 2507.35 kt CO 2 eq. • The project is economically viable at a cost of $ 0.0321/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]