Malawi seeks Ghana's expertise in carbon market development

A high-level delegation from Malawi has concluded a peer learning visit to Ghana focused on carbon market development, waste management, and single-use plastics regulation as part of efforts to deepen regional climate cooperation and sustainable development.

The engagement, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme Ghana, forms part of Malawi’s preparations to participate effectively in global carbon markets while tackling environmental challenges such as plastic pollution and waste management.

Speaking at the closing session in Accra, Malawi’s Minister for Natural Resources, Patricia Kaliati, praised Ghana’s progress in carbon market implementation and environmental sustainability.

“We are deeply encouraged by the progress that Ghana has made,” she stated.

According to the Minister, Malawi gained important lessons from Ghana’s experience in carbon markets, circular economy initiatives, and waste management systems.

Hon. Kaliati also called for continued technical collaboration between the two countries.

“We need Ghana to hold our hand through the process because these are complicated processes,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Project Leader for the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, Persis Kusi, disclosed that Ghana has become one of South Korea’s priority African partners for carbon reduction and climate cooperation due to its strong policy and institutional framework.

She explained that Ghana is among seven African countries selected by South Korea for collaboration on emission reduction projects and Article 6 carbon market initiatives, alongside Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, and Senegal.

“So all of these coming together, in addition to the strong bilateral relationship that the Ghanaian government has with the Korean government, make Ghana a suitable choice,” Persis Kusi stated.

She further revealed that Ghana and South Korea have signed a climate change framework agreement currently before Parliament awaiting ratification.

According to her, negotiations on the bilateral agreement under Article 6 cooperative approaches began in Dubai in 2023 and took nearly three years due to delays caused by Ghana’s change in government.

Despite the delay, she said both countries have finalized the agreement and are preparing for parliamentary approval before implementation begins.

Persis Kusi also noted that South Korea intends to expand its list of priority African countries and expressed optimism about future collaborations with Malawi and other African countries in climate finance and carbon market development.