INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER STATEMENT BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) CELEBRATES

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) together with the United Nations Development  Programme (UNDP) in Ghana engaged community members and students from the tertiary and secondary schools to raise awareness about the ozone layer, its impacts, and the issue of its depletion. 

This outreach which forms part of activities in commemorating World Ozone Day and the outstanding advancements made in Ozone Layer restoration, was undertaken in the Ashanti,Eastern, Volta and Western Regions of Ghana.

The theme for 2023 World Ozone Day dubbed “fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change” reminds us to be committed to protect the ozone layer and our planet for generations to come.

Since the Inception of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, there have been significant reductions in the production and consumption of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS), leading to the gradual recovery of the ozone layer. An update from the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol confirms that the ozone layer is recovering, and ozone levels are expected to return to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic.

The protocol has demonstrated that international cooperation and environmental treaties can effectively address global environmental challenges.Ghana’s ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2019 reinforces the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The amendment aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which are gases with high global warming potential that replaced ozone-depleting substances in the cooling industry to enhance the energy efficiency of cooling appliances. 

The Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with the UNDP, has over the years implemented strategies and initiatives of its global commitment under the Montreal Protocol to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances, including import restriction measures.

By banning these harmful substances, we enable the ozone layer to slowly recover, protect public health, safeguard ecosystems, and mitigate climate change.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, Angela Lusigi noted that, as the government of Ghana works tirelessly to address pressing ozone challenges, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to support the government in halting ozone depletion and foster a sustainable and safe environment future for all.

World Ozone Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Montreal Protocol and rally support for national compliance efforts among the public and key stakeholders.The EPA is an important element in Ghana’s strategy to comply with the Montreal Protocol. TheAgency, with support from UNDP, has provided technical training for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technicians, workshop owners where they are trained on good refrigeration practices, hydrocarbon as an alternative refrigerant and hydrocarbon technology transfer, raise awareness among key stakeholders on the Montreal Protocol and Kigali amendment’s regulations on ODSs. 

Together with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, we control ODS imports by establishing taxes on the importation import of ODSs and ODS-containing equipment, promote new green technologies (Recovery, Recycle and Reclaim), develop standards for Hydrocarbon (HC) based flammable refrigerants, monitor refrigeration shops to ensure good practice and identify refrigerant brands on the market.

The EPA commends the tireless coordinated efforts of international bodies, governments, industry players, environmental scientists, and researchers who have played a pivotal role in reducing the production and consumption of Ozone-Depleting Substances. Climate change and new emerging substances demand our continued vigilance. The EPA remains committed to national and international collaboration to address these evolving threats.