Redeem pledges to support developing countries with funds to fight GHG emissions – Energy Minister to developed countries

Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is urging developed countries to support developing countries meet their net-zero targets.

This, according to the Minister can be done by these countries redeeming funding pledges they made to support developing countries towards the reduction of GHG emissions.

The Minister made this call when he addressed a panel session on Funding Resilience: Post -COP28 Path Forward for Loss and Damage.

Dr. Prempeh said developing countries face the challenge of achieving the SDG7 target of providing clean and affordable energy by 2030, due to the intense financial commitment required.

Most developing countries, he said heavily rely on wood fuel to meet their energy need and therefore argued that in the face of the global energy transition, this type of fuel, if not controlled will erode the little gains chalked these few years in the quest to combat climate change.

“It is not about the number of funds we establish, but it is about the commitment to these funds in terms of supporting developing countries, less emitters,” he said

The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Manyia South said energy is the heartbeat of every economy, and it is important that Africa has enough of it to support its socio-economic development to enhance the welfare of the citizenry.

“Our right to develop our energy resources for the benefit of our people must therefore be respected and with no interference.

“We recognize that the electricity, cooking and transportation sectors are key areas in reducing greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions. Consequently, steps must be taken to transition these sectors towards a net-zero emissions future,” he added.

He continued “To attain this, we must transition to the production and utilization of clean energy and the implementation of measures to mitigate any emissions that occur in the process.

"This will ensure that we contribute our quota to the reduction of global GHG emissions, and more importantly, achieve decarbonization, energy access, security, and efficiency.”

He added that his outfit is aggressively promoting clean cooking with a focus on achieving 50% access to the use of LPG as fuel and delivering 3 million improved efficient charcoal stoves by 2030.

“We have rolled out a number of programs, notably, the LPG for Development, Cylinder Recirculation Model, and Carbon-for-Free Stoves program for the biomass sector,” he remarked.

The Manhyia South lawmaker used the opportunity to reiterate Ghana’s commitment to partner with investors to explore new energy frontiers to support sustainable, environmentally sound and gender-responsive economic growth.