The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has called on the government to harness the global carbon credit market as a strategic tool for national development, stressing that it should serve not only as a mechanism for emissions trading but also as a driver of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh acknowledged Ghana’s early progress in developing its carbon market framework through the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Carbon Market Office. He noted that the country is well-positioned to participate in the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement but emphasized the need for reforms to simplify regulations and safeguard Ghana’s long-term interests.
He stated that Ghana’s carbon market strategy must be guided by the principle of delivering tangible national value. According to him, there should be clear distinctions between international carbon credit transfers, voluntary carbon markets, and domestic carbon market activities to ensure the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are not compromised.
The lawmaker outlined several key measures to strengthen Ghana’s carbon market and establish the country as a trusted regional hub for high-quality carbon assets. He called for greater policy and regulatory clarity by streamlining approval processes within the Carbon Market Office and the Ghana Carbon Registry to make them faster, more transparent, and predictable.
Hon. Annoh-Dompreh also stressed the importance of maintaining high environmental integrity while protecting local communities, farmers, and traditional authorities through fair benefit-sharing arrangements and effective grievance mechanisms.
He further urged the government to promote a strong pipeline of domestic carbon projects by prioritizing sectors such as renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and forest restoration. To build local expertise, he proposed the establishment of a National Carbon Finance Academy to train Ghanaian professionals and reduce dependence on foreign consultants.
In addition, the MP called for stronger institutional coordination by providing adequate funding and political support to the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Protection Authority. He said strengthening these institutions would eliminate administrative bottlenecks and improve decision-making.
While cautioning that poor regulation could lead to speculation and unfair contractual arrangements, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh expressed confidence that a well-regulated carbon market would support Ghana’s green transition, attract sustainable investment, create jobs, and contribute significantly to national development.
