Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, has urged the government to implement strict standards for Ghana’s carbon credit market. He warned the country must reject low-quality projects and prevent “carbon greenwashing,” a practice where companies make exaggerated or misleading claims about their environmental efforts.
Annoh-Dompreh stated a robust carbon market must serve as a national development tool, not merely a trading platform for emissions. He emphasized the market should deliver genuine emissions reductions, benefit local communities, and attract private-sector investment. This strategic approach aims to ensure the market contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s economic and environmental goals.
Ghana’s evolving carbon market fits into the nation’s broader push for sustainable development and climate resilience. The country has already established the Ghana Carbon Market Office under the Environmental Protection Authority. This institutional framework supports international carbon trading and has registered mitigation projects across energy, agriculture, forestry, and transport sectors.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, speaking in Parliament, highlighted concerns about credibility problems in global carbon markets. He said, “Ghana must not become a destination for low-quality carbon projects.” He also stressed that carbon credits are directly linked to Ghana’s climate commitments, biodiversity, land rights, and future development space. He added, “We must not sell cheap today what we may need tomorrow to meet our own NDC targets.”
Going forward, decision-makers must prioritize policy certainty and transparent approval processes within the carbon market. Predictable timelines and clear distinctions between transaction categories will boost investor confidence. The government should also invest in building Ghanaian expertise in carbon finance. This could involve institutionalizing a national carbon finance academy linked to the Carbon Market Office, universities, and the private sector. This move would reduce reliance on foreign consultants and foster local job creation.
Every carbon deal must protect Ghana’s long-term climate interests, ensuring environmental integrity. Projects must guarantee transparent benefit-sharing for communities whose lands, forests, and farms support carbon initiatives. Local people must be fully consulted and benefit fairly through proper stakeholder engagement and accessible grievance mechanisms. These measures will prevent exploitation and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
Moreover, a stronger pipeline of domestic carbon projects is essential. Priority should go to renewable energy, methane reduction, regenerative agriculture, forest restoration, and mangrove protection. Carbon financing should support Ghana’s job creation, food security, energy transition, and local economic development goals. Enhanced coordination among government agencies and a stronger, more transparent Ghana Carbon Registry are also critical to the market's success.
Ghana’s national position on carbon market investment must be clear. It must balance openness to investment with protection of environmental integrity, national interests, community rights, and long-term development. This balanced approach will ensure sustainable growth and global competitiveness in the carbon market.