Accra: Ghana's air-conditioning sub-sector is responsible for 80 percent of the national greenhouse gas emissions, as revealed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The disclosure was made by Mr. Francis Addo-Okyireh, the Head of the Climate Change and Ozone Department at the EPA, during the launch of the Ghana Green Cooling Programme in Accra. He highlighted that these emissions are primarily due to high electricity consumption and refrigerant leakages with high global warming potential.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Addo-Okyireh emphasized that the rising demand for air-conditioning, driven by population growth, urbanization, and increased electrification, poses significant environmental challenges. The newly launched programme aims to transition Ghana's air-conditioning sector to low-carbon cooling solutions. Supported by the Swiss KliK Foundation, the initiative will promote the use of high-efficiency 'green split ACs' that utilize natural refrigerants with ultra-low global warming potential, presenting an opportunity to significantly curb emissions for decades.
Mr. Michael Kofi Abrokwaa, Project Manager for the KliK Foundation in Ghana, stated that air conditioners are crucial for comfort, health, and economic activities. He noted that the Ghana Green Cooling Programme is expected to yield sustainable development benefits, such as job creation for technicians, reduced electricity grid pressure, and healthier communities. Additionally, the programme aims to enhance technical capacity through training on green public procurement, in partnership with the Public Procurement Authority.
Mrs. Eunice A. Biritwum, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, mentioned that state institution procurement officers have been trained in the Most Economically Advantageous Tender process. This method considers the total cost of ownership and environmental impact during tender evaluations. She also stated that the Commission is working on policy measures to support financing, regulatory compliance, and the integration of the cooling sector into Ghana's climate commitments outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions.
