Ghana launches Green Cooling Project to fight pollution, reduce electricity bills
By Rebecca Okine
The nation has officially launched the Green Cooling Project, a bold stride towards promoting climate-friendly and energy-efficient air conditioning nationwide.
The initiative is funded by Switzerland’s KliK Foundation and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It aims to make environmentally sustainable cooling affordable for Ghanaian households while reducing harmful emissions.
Project Manager at GIZ, Philipp Denzinger, explained that the project introduces advanced split air conditioners that run on a natural refrigerant known as R290. H
e said the technology is both energy-saving and environmentally friendly.
“We are introducing state-of-the-art technology that uses a natural refrigerant. It’s highly efficient, saves households up to two thousand cedis a year on electricity, and has almost zero impact on the climate,” he stated.
The EPA views the project as a milestone in Ghana’s ongoing fight against ozone depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. Director of Climate Change and Ozone at the EPA, Felix Addo-Ogyireh, said the initiative will gradually phase out outdated and inefficient AC units.
“Because of our tropical climate, cooling is necessary. But older technologies release emissions that harm the ozone layer. The R290 units are efficient, safer for the environment, and better for the economy,” he explained.
Addo-Ogyireh further disclosed that Ghana has sold the largest Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcome (ITMO) in Africa to Switzerland, highlighting the country’s growing role in global carbon markets.
The Energy Commission also expressed optimism about the initiative. Acting Executive Secretary, Eunice Biritwum, stressed that air conditioning represents a major portion of Ghana’s energy use and costs.
“With the Green Cooling Project, we can reduce energy consumption, cut household costs, and move closer to a sustainable energy sector. This is a real game-changer,” she indicated.
She added that the Commission will ensure only efficient appliances enter the market, while working with the EPA to train AC technicians on the new technology.
The project aims to install at least 150,000 green air conditioners across the country. Though it will first roll out in Accra, officials say it will later expand to other regions, including the north, where cooling is equally essential.
