2014-9-15
The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission of Ghana, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, and the acting UNDP Resident Representative, Gita Honwana Welch, signed the Agreement on China-Ghana South-South Cooperation on Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project for their respective institutions at a ceremony in Accra on September 8th. Witnessing the signing are Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mr John Jinapor, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Sun Baohong, Chinese Economic & Commercial Counsellor to Ghana Mr. Li Jiang and Deputy Head of Mission at the Danish Embassy in Ghana Karin Poulsen.
H.E. Sun Baohong said the project demonstrated that China and the UNDP had a common commitment towards Ghana. She expressed delight in the fact that the UNDP chose China for the project and pledged China's commitment to ensure its success.
The four-year project, scheduled to be executed from 2015 to 2018, is funded by the Danish government at a cost of $2.72 million with the UNDP acting as the coordinator while China will provide technical expertise. The project will tap into Chinese renewable energy technologies to address the energy needs of Ghana and facilitate the transfer of those technologies from China to Ghana. The project will focus on technologies such as solar/wind energy for irrigation, biogas, mini hydro and improved cook stoves. Furthermore, it will focus on private sector participation and development, with the view to ensuring its sustainability.