EPA launches carbon market training programme
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a training programme designed to equip Ghanaians with the knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of opportunities in the global carbon market, which the Authority believes holds strong revenue potential for the country and could generate thousands of jobs for unemployed youth.
The inaugural session is set to train approximately 25 participants, strengthening their understanding of carbon market trading while positioning them to contribute to both personal advancement and national economic growth.
Speaking to the media during the training held at the AB & David Hotel in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, described the initiative as a key move within Ghana’s wider climate finance and sustainability strategy.
According to her, “the Environmental Protection Authority is, for the first time, doing a training on carbon markets. What we want to do is that the carbon market is trending in the world, and in Ghana, per our assessments, we have a huge carbon credit. We can trade for money and for technologies, renewable energy technologies that will help the country and help the citizens.”
Professor Klutse explained that the Authority has spent the past two years strengthening its technical capacity through its Carbon Market Office and has now taken steps to share this expertise with institutions and individuals across the country.
“We’ve done a lot of learning and had some experiences, and we need to expand it to other institutions in the country, other individuals to build their capacity in carbon market trading,” she stated.
She noted that the initiative is expected to deliver benefits beyond the participants themselves, contributing to Ghana’s reputation in carbon accreditation and carbon market operations.
“Apart from individual gains, the country also gains as one of the countries with credibility in carbon accreditation and carbon market experience. So that is why we are setting up this training.”
She further revealed that the response to the programme has been positive, with participants drawn from various institutions showing keen interest in carbon trading.
“We have seen the participants coming from different institutions that are interested in carbon market trading. We believe this will be widespread through all other institutions.”
Professor Klutse added that the EPA plans to expand the initiative to accommodate growing interest.
“This is the first one. We expect to have different cohorts after this first one, depending on the interest of people. And we believe that several institutions should be interested in this. This is a big opportunity for us to gain money and also to gain technology.”
She emphasised the substantial economic potential of the carbon market, indicating that if effectively utilised, Ghana could attract investments of up to one billion dollars within the next four years and create approximately 5,000 jobs.
Source: Joy News
