The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation reports that more than 600 technicians and engineers in Ghana have received training onGhana: over 600 technicians trained in hydrocarbonshydrocarbon technology, according to statements of Mr. Daniel Amlalo, Acting Executive Director of the country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mr. Amlamo was speaking at this year’s celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, held in Oyoko, Ghana.
Training of technicians on hydrocarbons is part of Ghana’s efforts to encourage and spread good refrigeration practices and support the retrofit of domestic refrigerators to hydrocarbons. For example, a delegation of technicians from Ghana recently received theoretical and practical training on the safe handling and design of equipment with hydrocarbon refrigerants at the headquarters of the Centro Studi Galileo, Casale Monferrato, Italy.
Hydrocarbon training a key part of Ghana’s HCFC phase-out plan
The current stage of the implementation of Ghana’s HCFC phase-out management programme (2010-2014), which focuses on the establishment of safe hydrocarbon and natural refrigerant use culture to enable their safe use, comprises for example:
- developing codes of good practices,
- training and certification of technicians,
- activities to curb growing phase-in of HCFC-based refrigerant blends
- an incentive programme to retrofit HCFC-based equipment to environmentally sound alternatives
Total ban on second hand refrigerators and ACs as of 2013
Moreover, emphasising Ghana’s efforts to avoid becoming a dumping ground for second-hand electronic products, the Minister of the Environment, Science and Technology Ms Sherry Ayitey, has announced that as of January 2013 there will be a total ban on imports of used refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. Not only do used appliances consume more energy than new ones, but also contain in most cases certain ozone depleting substances that have been banned in the country.
To enforce the ban, the Environmental Protection Agency is registering dealers of used refrigerators and air conditioning.
Towards energy efficiency standards and labelling of appliances
Moreover, to encourage the uptake of energy efficient refrigerators, Ghana is considering the adoption of a standard and labelling programme that will help consumers make informed choices when purchasing refrigerators. The country’s Energy Commission estimates that the implementation of standards and labelling on refrigerating appliances will save the country over $100 million (€70.7 million) annually, while extending the standards and labelling regime to air-conditioners is estimated to save about $52 million (€36.7 million) annually.
