Ghana builds capacity for carbon market participation - GhanaWeb

Published: Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 5:26 pm

Ghana Bolsters Carbon Market Expertise to Capitalize on Global Trends

Accra, Ghana – Ghana is actively building its capacity to participate in the burgeoning international carbon market, aiming to unlock revenue, attract renewable energy investments, and improve livelihoods. A recent master class, the second in a series, is training nearly 50 professionals from Ghana and Nigeria to develop, register, and trade high-quality carbon credits.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Authority, recognizes the significant opportunities presented by the global surge in carbon market activity. Ghana's Carbon Market Office is leading the effort, having already gained experience in transferring its first Authorised Emission Reductions to Switzerland under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The training program covers the fundamentals of both compliance and voluntary carbon markets, Ghana's evolving institutional arrangements, and the technical requirements for generating tradable carbon credits. Key areas of focus include measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), project design, registry systems, and contract negotiation.

Officials emphasize that successful participation in carbon markets hinges on robust human capacity. The goal is to equip individuals and institutions with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the market effectively. This includes establishing systems to authorize and track carbon transactions, which is expected to attract credible investors and safeguard national interests.

The training also seeks to address knowledge gaps that have historically limited African countries' participation in global carbon markets, despite the continent's substantial mitigation potential in sectors like forestry, clean cooking, renewable energy, and waste management. The ultimate objective is to foster an African carbon market of high integrity, ensuring that carbon projects deliver genuine emissions reductions while generating revenue for communities and supporting national development goals. Ghana's progress is attracting interest from other African nations, with delegations from Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Namibia already engaging with the Carbon Market Office.

BNN's Perspective: Ghana's proactive approach to building carbon market expertise is commendable. By investing in local capacity and establishing robust regulatory frameworks, Ghana is positioning itself to benefit from the global transition to a low-carbon economy. This strategy not only offers economic opportunities but also contributes to broader environmental sustainability goals.

Keywords: Ghana, carbon market, carbon credits, renewable energy, Paris Agreement, Article 6, emissions reductions, Environmental Protection Authority, capacity building, training, Africa, Nigeria, sustainable development, climate change, MRV, Ghana Carbon Market Office.

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