AGORA project launched

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched the “Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete RAC Equipment in Ghana and Nigeria” (AGORA) project in Accra.

The AGORA initiative, aimed at accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners (RAC) in Nigeria and Ghana, involves partners such as- the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Energy Commission (EC).

It is being funded by the French Government under the French fund for global environment and the Multilateral fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

The project’s launch brought together the government, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and local communities to brainstorm its execution among other thing.

In remarks at the launch ceremony, Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedou, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ghana, stated that the project demonstrated the power of collaboration, collective effort, and shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and climate resilience.

He added that Ghana, like the rest of the world, is struggling with environmental insecurity, climate change issues, and development challenges that require a collective effort to address.

“Ghana’s ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2019 highlights its dedication to tackling this global issue. I therefore acknowledge the Government of Ghana for the tremendous strides in its climate change commitments including- the promotion of energy efficiency for sustainable environmental preservation,” he also said.

Furthermore, he said the UNDP partnership with the EPA and EC has enhanced capacity building, provided high- quality equipment for eco-friendly technologies, and supported the development of regulatory frameworks for managing Ozone-Depleting.

“We are seeking to create a pathway for inclusive and sustainable development, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Reaching these goals necessitate collaboration across all sectors and levels, both vertically and horizontally,” Mr. Khoshmukhamedou added.

Mr. Joseph Baffoe, Head of Climate Change and Ozone Department, EPA, noted that the country has taken a keen interest in environmental concerns over the years, as environmental impacts frequently transcend national lines.

‘Ghana, being a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, implemented programs to reduce high global warming potential gases and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the country, under its nationally determined contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was among the first nations to include the rice sector in its greenhouse gas mitigation strategy.

“Also, Ghana has set a policy goal to ensure that 70 per cent of cooling appliances imported into the country are green by 2030,” he elaborated.

The AGORA project will enhance economic opportunities and competitiveness of businesses, enhance electric grid stability, protect the ozone layer, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, among other things.

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