The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has organized a specialized training session for selected journalists to enhance their understanding and reporting on forest management, carbon markets, and revenue mobilization initiatives in Ghana. The workshop aimed to equip journalists with accurate knowledge of these crucial topics to promote informed and responsible reportage.
Participants were taken through sessions addressing global deforestation trends, Ghana’s carbon market framework, and efforts to mobilize revenue for sustainable development.
Carbon Market in Ghana
The training showcased how Ghana is operationalizing its carbon market, with insights provided by Mr. Daniel Akwetey Lamptey, Principal Program Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He explained that the carbon market falls under Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), a document outlining 47 climate adaptation and mitigation actions.
For mitigation, Ghana is leveraging Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as a tool to achieve NDC targets. Mr. Lamptey highlighted three approaches under Article 6:
- Collaborating with governments and private entities (corporate approach).
- Engaging in markets governed by the United Nations framework.
- Exploring non-market approaches.
Ghana’s conditional programs, which require international public sector investments, are pivotal to advancing these initiatives, he noted.
Forest Management Efforts
The workshop shed light on Ghana’s definition of a forest, which is unique compared to other countries. A forest in Ghana is defined as an area with a minimum 15% canopy cover and trees at least 2 meters tall.
Mr. Daryl Bosu, Deputy Executive Director of A Rocha Ghana, provided startling statistics, revealing that while Ghana had 6.97 million hectares of natural forest in 2010, approximately 110,000 hectares were lost by 2023 — equivalent to 200,000 football fields.
To address this, Ghana uses advanced remote sensing technology and ground-based sampling to monitor forest carbon dynamics. Tools like satellite imagery and Collect Earth, along with expert interpreters, track changes in forest cover. Additionally, 168 national forest inventory plots are used to monitor emissions within program areas.
Revenue Mobilization
Revenue mobilization in Ghana’s carbon market focuses on emission reduction, emphasizing it as a co-benefit of green investments. These initiatives promote sustainable development while ensuring environmental integrity.
The World Bank’s PROGREEN initiative, in collaboration with Ghana, aims to restore 210,000 hectares of cocoa forest landscapes within Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs). This approach empowers local communities, with 2,855 farmers already adopting sustainable practices.
Strengthening Forest Management
The workshop concluded with calls for increased funding to enhance the capacity of forestry agencies, improve monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and incentivize sustainable practices. These measures are expected to drive progress in forest conservation and position Ghana as a leader in climate action.
The training underscored the importance of accurate and comprehensive media coverage in promoting sustainable forest management and advancing Ghana’s environmental and economic goals.
By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline.com.gh