Ghana to receive $20m in carbon reduction payments

Ghana is expected to receive $20 million this year as payment for a reduction in carbon emissions, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has revealed.

According to him, international partners are increasingly recognizing Ghana’s climate-protection efforts alongside a broader push to expand ecotourism investment across key forest reserves and parks.

Briefing the Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang during her working visit to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Tuesday, January 27, Minister Armah Kofi Buah disclosed that the government is “pairing climate action with ecotourism development,” and pointed to ongoing work with the Forestry Commission and new investments which, he said, are aimed at making Ghana’s natural attractions more accessible and commercially viable.

“We are also working on climate change mitigation and adoption and the world is noticing… This year we are getting $20 million on emission reduction payment, and then we are also again going to sign a $30 million US support on climate initiative this year,” he announced.

The Lands Minister further pointed to projects aimed at boosting visitor numbers and private-sector participation in nature tourism, an area he said will generate jobs, local revenue and stronger motivations for conservation.

“We also focus on our ecotourism development and promotion; we are working on walkways and bear watching centers. We are also working in other forest areas like the Kakum and the mole national park to increase investment to promote ecotourism,” he added

Armah Kofi Buah also expressed that domestic tourism could boost growth if infrastructure and promotion are sustained.

“We think that we should get to that point where Ghanaians are excited about traveling our country visiting these forest reserves more. There’s huge potential there,” he urged.

Commending the Ministry of Lands and Natural resources for climate preservation interventions, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang shared the government’s commitment to supporting not only domestic climate sustainability initiative, but also to supplement efforts in attracting international partners for some of the ongoing projects.

“I will commend you for all these important interventions,” she said. “We want you to know that we will support your initiatives wherever we are, because we know you will succeed.”