World Bank Pleased with REDD+ Carbon Program in Ghana's Atewa Forest: $21.7 Million Paid for Emissions Reductions

ghanabusinessnews.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

The World Bank has expressed satisfaction with progress under Ghana's REDD+ program in the Atewa Hotspot Intervention Area. During a field visit, Vice President Guangzhe Chen noted that communities are delivering emission reductions with Forestry Commission oversight. The Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) covers 5.9 million hectares and supports over 140,000 cocoa farmers across six areas including Atewa. Performance-based carbon payments have been significant: $4.8 million was disbursed for 2019 results and $16.9 million for 2020-2021. Funds have provided school desks to 54 schools, mechanized boreholes, agricultural inputs, and capacity building. Chen highlighted carbon finance as critical for compensating communities and said the Bank would explore scaling the program. The visit focused on pressure from illegal mining and the need for alternative livelihoods. Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in carbon markets globally. The program runs through 2027 and aims to halt deforestation while promoting climate-smart cocoa farming. Continued investment and community participation remain key to sustaining results.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Nice to see actual dollar amounts tied to REDD+. $21.7M across two payments is real money for communities. Wondering how leakage is being tracked with illegal mining still active in the landscape.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Leakage is the big question. The article mentions poverty is a major challenge. If illegal mining pays better than conservation, the carbon payments need to compete. 23% spent on logistics sounds like a lot of overhead.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The overhead split matters but the real test is whether those motorbikes and vehicles let forest guards actually stop mining. Performance based payments only work if you can measure the outcome reliably. Ghana's MRV system needs to hold up.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Scale is impressive 5.9M hectares and 140k farmers. But I would like to see the carbon density per hectare and the actual tons reduced. Without that number it is hard to judge if $21.7M is a good price per ton or not.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. Emission reduction payments need a reference price. If these are REDD+ credits they likely trade below $10/tCO2. The article says 2019 monitoring period got $4.8M but does not say how many tons. That makes it hard to compare to other projects.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Schools and boreholes are nice but are they building long term livelihoods? The Atewa area is under pressure from mining. If the program ends in 2027 what happens then? Sustainable finance needs a plan after the carbon payments stop.