The increased demand for electricity resulting in a perennial power shortage recently has deepened renewed interest
in the option of decentralized bioenergy generation in Ghana. Biomass contributes 64% of Ghana’s total primary
energy supply (TPES), yet it is not fully utilized. The main objective of this article is to assess the potential of dry
maize residues to generate electricity in rural Brong Ahafo Region on a sustainable basis. The total amount of maize
residues was evaluated based on the annual production of maize and the percentage of residues left over after
harvest. The study made use of maize production data of 2010 gathered from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,
Ghana. A thorough review was done in choosing the appropriate crop to residue ratio as well as the characteristics to
determine the biomass available as bioenergy potential. The study found that the area with the least dry maize
residue – the Atebubu-Amantim district, had sufficient residues to generate electricity of 3,597MWh annually on a
sustainable basis. The study concluded that maize residues have a high potential for energy generation in rural
Brong Ahafo Region and will facilitate decentralized power generation, thereby contributing towards expansion of
energy access in Ghana. It is hoped that the results will be of direct use to stakeholders, policy makers, researchers,
NGOs and energy planners seeking the transformation of local energy systems to expand access to electricity