Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable energy and climate action through a collaborative initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ghana Energy Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program, aimed at enhancing knowledge and strengthening enforcement capabilities, focuses on implementing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to effectively manage hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and promote energy efficiency nationwide.
Speaking to Happy Kaseɛbɔ after an inception workshop, Herbert Nsiah Zan, Assistant Manager for Energy Efficiency Regulation at the Ghana Energy Commission, highlighted the country’s progress under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment obligations.
“Ghana began phasing out HFCs in 2020, and by 2024, we’ve significantly reduced the importation of R22 air conditioners,” he stated. “Currently, no new R22 units are officially approved for entry into the Ghanaian market, although legacy stock remains available for sale.”
The workshop brought together key enforcement agencies, including the Customs Division, to build capacity for monitoring and regulating imports of refrigerant-based appliances. “Customs officers are critical to our enforcement strategy,” Nsiah Zan emphasized. “Their training will ensure that only compliant, energy-efficient appliances enter the country.”
As part of the regulatory upgrade, Ghana has revised its appliance labelling system.
The energy rating scale has expanded from 1–5 stars to 1–7 stars to accommodate technological advancements. To combat counterfeit labels, the Energy Commission now requires product registration prior to importation, generating a unique QR code for each certified appliance.
Consumers are encouraged to use the GH Certified Appliance App, available on iOS and Google Play, to verify appliance labels and ensure products meet national standards.
“This empowers every Ghanaian to make informed choices,” Nsiah Zan said. “We are all consumers, and awareness must reach every household.”
