The Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, GHACCO, is advocating for the implementation of the bioenergy policy by government after a study conducted by the organisation demonstrates the benefits of the policy when effectively executed.
In an interaction with the media, the Executive Director of Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstove, Mohammed Amin Lukumanu, stated that the study which affirmed government’s position on the policy, therefore, urging government to completely implement it, was funded by BUSAG, DANIDA, USAID and other development partners.
“There’s a policy on bioenergy since 2010 and the research conducted last year showed that the basis upon which the policy was developed were still relevant today. The research further confirmed that the policy can help waste management, protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of many citizens,”
Mr. Lukumanu noted.
In his view, the policy, when fully executed will lead to job creation in the economy as well as enhance the livelihoods of numerous local producers; improve waste management by using agro waste for charcoal, and that will lead to a decrease in deforestation in the country.
He also stated that there was a new technology that can transform agro waste into charcoal and this will forestall the cutting down of trees for charcoal.
Futhermore, Mr. Lukumanu stated that the organisation was embarking on a sensitization exercise with help from various Municipal and District Assemblies on the need to utilize cookstove and contribute to the fight to save the environment and planet as a whole.
The Executive Director said that they will engage government as well as the Energy Commission as part of activities being undertaken by the organisation to sensitize citizens and also have the policy completely actualized.
Address licensing and taxes on imported equipment for the renewable energy
In addition, the organisation asked government to address the issues of licensing and taxation of imported equipment for renewable energy in the country.
In the view of the organisation, imported complete solar systems are zero-rated and are excluded from import duties and charges. However, Ghana’s Harmonized System, HS, codes on imported merchandise doesn’t characterize solar-powered equipment properly, and individual imported solar-based parts and items (solar panels, batteries and regulators) are not covered by the zero-rating.
Also, the licensing requirement and procedures for renewable energy projects are turning out to be obstructions to the development and disposition of renewable energy in Ghana. Licensing renewable energy projects to a great extent involve prolonged and complex authorisation processes.
The organisation further stated that with all the institutions involved, and absence of coordination among those establishments, gaining all the essential documents could take an incredibly prolonged time, while responsible authorities are not typically required to react to applications instantly.
“Different permits are required from various government institutions, for example Environmental Protection Authority, Town and Country Department etc. besides the Energy Commission.”
These among others, they said required government’s attention to address issues of licensing and taxation of imported equipment and technology for renewable energy.
