President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has launched the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) aimed at reducing carbon emission in the cocoa industry.
The objective of the GCFRP is to significantly reduce carbon emissions resulting from cocoa expansion into forests through the promotion of appropriate climate-smart cocoa production approaches, including intensification and yield enhancement.
The programme seeks to curb illegal timber harvesting and mining, while incorporating shade trees in cocoa systems and to build climate – resilience for the cocoa sector in order to secure rural livelihoods and sustain national development.
The event was dedicated to the goal “Achieving 10 Million Tonnes Emission Reduction in Six Years.”
President Akufo-Addo, in an address, urged the Forestry Commission and the Ghana COCOBOD to join forces through the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD Programme to achieve the objectives.
“The Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) has the capacity to further boost our economy, restore our forest cover, reduce meaningfully our greenhouse gases, boost cocoa production, and also increase the tourism potential of our country.”
“As co-chair of the UN eminent group of advocates of the SDGs, I am aware that the implementation of GCFRP is crucial. I therefore call on all stakeholders to rise to the occasion.”
“This is the time to exhibit real ambition through action. The GCFRP is a performance based programme and we need results in the form of verifiable emission reductions,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie in his address, indicated that Ghana was the third country globally to subscribe to the carbon fund’s portfolio.
“Per the terms and conditions of this agreement, Ghana shall be advanced an amount of 1.3 million US dollars to kickstart some of the activities in the programme document,” he said.
BY YAW KYEI
