1 INTRODUCTION “Bioenergy and education of its use has the potential of solving numerous prob-lems in the developing countries including poverty and lack of food.” This was an idea introduced to me by one of the pioneers of bioenergy programs, Juha Soilio. The concept of bioenergy interest me highly and as a marketer, finding a solution to the big issues through business and marketing was an intriguing thought. Today the importance of energy has become more and more discussed in the public. A growing amount countries have become energy conscious setting en-ergy goals in a result of decreasing energy sources. The concept of energy is important because it affects a country as a whole. Energy consumption effects productivity, economic growth, global networking as well as its adverse effects on climatic change. How does energy link to education? The power of education can also be considered as important or even more important. The need for renewable energy education and training at all levels is globally recognized. During the last three decades a large number of countries across the globe have initiated aca-demic programs on renewable energy technologies and related aspects. Without sufficient training or education innovative energy solutions can’t be used effec-tively. In a nutshell education also effects a country as a whole, linking to a coun-try’s economic growth, employment and productivity. The aim of this thesis is to point out the need for renewable energy education in Ghana and to study the possibilities of education export from Finland. BioSampo, a vocational education provider from Kouvola, was chosen as a case subject.

Ghana was chosen as the target country based on personal and professional interest. Ghana is currently facing a severe energy shortage as a result of ineffi-cient energy resources and growing energy consumption. If new technologies are applied the need for education is inevitable. There is ongoing cooperation with Ghana from a handful of schools in Finland but more can be done. In general African countries have not been included in high demand business plans. It is important to include Africa to the scene and examine the potentials while still re-maining relevantly untouched by the big masses. The first chapters of this thesis work will review the energy situation in Ghana and provide insight to the role of renewable energy sources as well as the importance of education in the renewable energy scene. The following chapters will issue the education export situation in Finland and provide the reader with an example case, BioSampo. In conclusion this thesis work provides suggestions for Finnish educational institutions in marketing educational programs in Ghana. Qualitative research method was chosen for this thesis. The method was chosen because qualitative research aims for studying the object or subject comprehen-sively. Qualitative research methods usually include inductive approaches and information is often gathered through interviews, documents or discussions. Compared to the quantitative research method, the qualitative research provides the researcher flexibility to change plans according to circumstances.

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