Ghana sectoral policies Energy sector policies

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1.4.2 Ghana sectoral policies

Policies, regulatory, legislative frameworks and institutional arrangements in place to provide direction for development and sustainable management of woodfuel resources in Ghana include: 1. National Energy Policy 2. Bio-energy policy 3. Renewable Energy Act, 2011 Act 832 4. Ghana Forest and Wildlife Policy 2012 5. The Ghana REDD+ strategy 6. Forest Investment Plan FIP 7. Ghana forest plantation development strategy 2015-2040 8. National Land Policy 1999, with revision in 2002 9. National Wildfire Policy

1.4.3 Energy sector policies

In general Ghana Energy Policy, Bio-energy Policy and the Renewable Energy Act seek to create the enabling environment for the sustainable development and utilization of woodfuel in the country.  National Energy Policy:  The overall national energy policy target is to attain 10 Renewable Energy RE in national energy mix by 2020.  Bio-energy Policy In 2010, the Energy Commission of Ghana developed a Bio-energy Policy with sections on the development of the wood fuel sub-sector. The overall goal of the Bio- energy Policy is “to develop and promote the sustainable supply and utilization of bio-energy to ensure energy security for Ghana whilst maintaining adequate food security. The Bio-energy Policy also considers the supply and demand side of wood fuels and proposes strategies such as the promotion of woodlot cultivation, improved carbonisation technology and the promotion of efficient end use devices that will ensure the sustainable management of the woodfuel resources. The key policy issues addressed under woodfuel thematic area are to promote and ensure sound management as well as expansion of the country’s natural forest for sustainable supply of wood fuel. These include: I. Sustainability of woodfuel supply II. Development of efficient supply and end-use technologies for woodfuel production and use, III. Efficiency in packaging, marketing and transportation of woodfuel, and strengthening of institutional and regulatory framework The policy strategies include:  Support for Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs and Community-Based Organizations CBOs to create awareness for the development and management of suitable wood fuel species. 9  Identification and provision of incentives financial and non-financial for the development of woodlots in savannah and transitional zones under international funding protocols such as the Desertification Fund and Clean Development Mechanism CDM Fund  It also seeks to encourage the collaboration between the District Assemblies and Traditional Authorities to educate and release land to prospective individuals especially women and groups for wood fuel woodlots and plantation establishment. The key challenges to be addressed by the policy include:  Sustainability of sources of supply  Production of efficient technologies for wood fuel production and use  Substitution of traditional wood fuels with more modern fuels like LPG  Efficiency in the transportation of wood fuel  Improved packaging and marketing  Strong coordination in institutional and regulatory arrangements  Renewable Energy Act, 2011 Act 832 The Renewable Energy Act Act 832 was passed in 2011. The objective of the ACT is to ensure the development, management and utilization of renewable energy sources including biomass for the production of heat and power in an efficient and environmental friendly sustainable manner. The Renewable energy Act is aimed at the following:  Stimulate massive investment into the renewable energy sector.  Ensure the development and implementation of programmes to sustain woodfuel production and consumption The Energy Commission is mandated to collaborate with relevant institutions to ensure the development and implementation of programmes to sustain woodfuel production and consumption including:  Woodlot plantations  Improved kilns  Improved charcoal stove promotion The strategic directions include the following:  A framework to support the development and utilization of renewable energy sources  An enabling environment to attract investment in renewable energy sources  The promotion and use of renewable energy  The building of indigenous capacity in technology for renewable energy sources  The diversification of supplies to safeguard energy security  Public education on renewable energy production and utilisation  The regulation of the production and supply of woodfuel and bio-fuel

1.4.5 Forest sector polices, programs and strategies