Ghana urged to promote CDM project
development
June 24 - 25, 2011
A two day workshop on the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) in Ghana has been held at GIMPA executive
conference center in Accra under the theme Growing Green through the Rule of
Law: Capacity Building for Carbon Markets for Africa. Organized by the
Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School in
New York City and the Africa Center for Development Law and Policy (ACDLP),
and supported by the GE Foundation, the workshop brought together
stakeholders in Ghana: ministries and government agencies, industry,
academia, NGOs and CBOs, and donor organizations. The workshop created a
platform for stakeholders to share their experience in an attempt to builid
consensus and spur further action to draw carbon finance to Ghana. It
provided insight into the lact of investment in the CDM, the ways in which
current efforts may be capitalized upon and expanded, and the possibilities
for joint efforts to coordinate and facilitate project development in the
future. Ongoing international negotiations on the next generation of carbon
finance mechanisms were also explored.
In their presentation, CEESD representatives took members through the CDM
project which is being developed at the Kumasi abattoir where modern
anaerobic waste treament plant is exptected to replace the current
inefficient and deteriorated aerobic waste treatment being used at the
abattoir. CEESD further urged the Climate Change Committee at the Ministry
of Environment, Science and Technology, the DNA of Ghana, to initiate
funding schemes to support project development in Ghana.
Worth over $ 140 billion, the global carbon market presents a significant
opportunity for Sub-Saharan African countries to participate in global
emissions reduction efforts at minimal cost and great benefit to its people.
As a well established democracy and emerging regional power in West Africa
with solid investment appeal and a strong desire for sustainable
development, Ghana is an ideal choice to lead the continent in drawing the
business community to the emission reduction opportunities present in
Africa.
Photo (from left to right): Mr. Agyarko - Energy Commission, Mr. Peter Derry
- CDM coordinator of Ghana's DNA, Ing. Edward Antwi - Assistant Director of
CEESD, and Ing. Edem Bensah - Bioenergy Coordinator of CEESD.
Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development