The Energy Commission of Ghana is set to launch rigorous inspections of charcoal production sites nationwide to regulate the export of charcoal and promote sustainable production practices. The move aims to ensure that only legally sourced charcoal, produced from approved plantations allocated by the Forestry Commission, makes it to the export market.
Senior Manager for Renewable Energy Regulations at the Energy Commission, John Yeboah, emphasized that producers sourcing feedstock from unauthorized sources will not be eligible for licensing. “We want to ensure that the charcoal exported from Ghana is traceable and produced in an environmentally responsible manner,” he said.
This development is part of a broader effort to address the environmental implications of charcoal production in Ghana. The country consumes approximately 30 million cubic meters of firewood and charcoal annually, resulting in the clearance of around 70,000 hectares of forest each year. To mitigate this, the Energy Commission will work closely with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders to enforce new regulations and crack down on illegal production practices.
The initiative aligns with Ghana’s commitment to sustainable energy development and forest conservation. The Energy Commission’s mandate includes regulating and managing the development and utilization of energy resources to ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy supplies while promoting environmental quality and public safety.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
