Representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Commission led a delegation of officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Forestry Commission to be briefed about certification and quality control processes adopted for the production and management of wood fuel in Ghana. The visit to the Forestry Commission is a key activity being undertaken by the delegation as part of study visits to share experiences with other African countries who are advanced in the development of policies and regulations governing wood energy.
The exchange visit was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in the DRC and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to obtain an understanding of Ghana’s Energy Policy and regulatory frameworks with a focus on wood energy and clean energy.
Addressing the delegation, Mr. Hugh Brown, Director of Plantations of Forestry Commission welcomed the delegation and said that, the Forestry Commission has over the years put enabling conditions in place for a more sustainable production and consumption of wood energy. He added that, the Commission is excited to share with the delegation some programs and measures put in place by the Commission to sustain and manage Ghana’s woodfuel and he is hopeful that, the outcome of the interactions will be beneficial to both countries in terms of strengthening capacities on the management of wood fuel as a renewable source of energy.
The delegation was taken through several presentations and discussions on strategies and programs undertaken and put in place by the Forestry Commission that guide the management of woodfuel in Ghana including development of woodlots as part of implementation of the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy (2016 – 2040) and issuance of Conveyance Certificates for transportation of charcoal and fuel wood for domestic use.