Ghana has committed to lowering methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, as part of her renewed global methane pledge.
“This commitment is not mere rhetoric; it is exemplified by the bold and visionary steps taken by our President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” Dr Freda Prempeh, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, stated.
Dr. Prempeh, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North in the Ahafo Region, reiterated the nation’s commitment during the approval of internally transferred mitigation outcomes for integrated waste recycling and composite facilities at the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai.
The authorization process includes regulatory compliance checks, documentation review, approval from relevant authorities, and ensuring compliance with waste management regulations.
A statement from the Ministry, sent to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), emphasized that the nation acknowledges the crucial role of diverting organic waste from landfills in its dedicated pursuit of sustainable waste management practices.
“It is with great pride that I highlight the incorporation of this priority area into Ghana’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reflecting our commitment to mitigating climate change”, it said.
“Under the dynamic leadership of President Akufo-Addo, Ghana has embarked on a transformative journey through Public-Private Partnerships.”
“This partnership has resulted in the initiation of a large-scale installation of 16 integrated waste recycling and compost plants strategically located across all regions of our nation”.
When completed, these facilities would prevent roughly 35% of all waste volumes produced from ending up in landfills. They would also play a crucial role in the country’s waste management strategy, which is aimed at quickly reducing methane emissions from waste, according to the statement.
“Beyond their environmental impact, these projects yield significant co-benefits for our nation, job creation, spurred by the expansion of these facilities, is a tangible result, fostering economic growth and sustainability”.
“The strategic alignment of our waste management initiatives with climate investments is beginning to attract the needed foreign direct investments, which would render these projects commercially viable”.
The funding infusion from investors who care about the environment not only helps these projects succeed, but it also highlights Ghana’s significance as a desirable location for sustainable development.
According to the statement, Ghana’s cooperative efforts went beyond national boundaries, especially with the Government of Switzerland. The country had established the groundwork for climate investments that bolstered the viability and appropriateness of waste-related initiatives in the nation.
“It is, therefore, great joy for the Ministry to officially announce that we are here today to witness the signing of the Letter of Authorisation for four integrated waste recycling and compost facilities installed by the Jospong Group”.
In the statement, the Jospong Group was urged to perform to the highest standards and President Akufo-Addo was commended for his vision of establishing a conducive atmosphere for the private sector to flourish.