British High Commission funds Energy Training Programme

Accra, March 11, GNA- A two-week energy training programme for decision makers and senior executives in the energy sector to identify, evaluate and successfully implement energy efficiency opportunities in their enterprises, has opened in Accra.

The workshop, which runs from March 2 to 18, is being organised by the Energy Foundation in collaboration with the Future Energy Solutions of the United Kingdom, under the auspices of the British High Commission and the Ministry of Energy.

A statement issued in Accra by the Press and Public Affairs Section of the High Commission, said the training programme is a comprehensive effort that covers Energy Management in Buildings and Industry, Renewable Energy and Business Case for Energy Projects and will focus on assisting Ghanaian decision makers to establish sustainable energy markets in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa.

The training, in the short term, aims at improving skills amongst decision makers in government, public organisations, financing organisations, and the private sector, and will enable them to effectively develop and participate in sustainable energy markets in Ghana.

It is hoped this would lead to effective energy markets that will result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the sustainable use of energy resources.

Dr Rod Pullen, British Commissioner in his keynote address said, "The challenge of climate change is one that faces the whole world. Consequently, the UK government is working with many governments, including an active involvement with the Ghanaian government, to accelerate the development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficient system."

Last year, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, underlined the importance of global action to tackle climate change, which resulted in the launch of the Renewable Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

The UK government has consequently, made some money available through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Opportunities Fund for Climate Change projects

In June last year, Ghana took a regional lead in the launch of the REEEP, which was funded by the FCO.

The British High Commission is funding the programme at a cost of