The green landscape, mostly characterized by oil palm plantation, is a beautiful, calming, and refreshing sight to behold when entering parts of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The region is one of the most suitable areas for oil palm cultivation. Ghana is noted to be the third major palm oil producing country in Africa, and the sector plays an important role in rural livelihoods and local economic development.   Artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers occupy a greater share of Ghana’s palm oil processing industry, producing 60–80% of the country’s palm oil. However, the processing systems used by the palm oil producers are mainly the traditional metal cooking pots and steel tanks. These are loaded with the palm nuts and set on the traditional cooking stove using an open fire, with excessive smoke, polluting the environment. The pollution that emits from most of the artisanal and small-scale palm milling and oil production centers also come from wastewater generated in palm processing. The common waste management practices include burning of solid wastes and discharge of untreated liquid into the environment. These poor waste management practices are further affecting the environment, climate, and human health.   Enduring Pollution for Decades   Ruth Ofosuhemaa has been in the artisanal palm oil production business for 20 years.  She works as a leader of Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise, where she supervises 40 palm oil producers comprising 30 women and 10 young men. She narrates the hazards of their business.   “Our biggest problem here is the smoke. This enters our eyes and most of us have developed red and itchy eyes. We often get cough and sick due to how bad the smoke is”, noted Ruth in Achiase, a district capital in the Eastern Region of Ghana.     The conditions under which most of these artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers work, is a challenging one. Clouded in smoke, it was difficult to see the faces of Ruth and her colleagues at work. They basically combine manual methods with rudimentary tools and use a variety of low-efficient machines in producing the palm oil for soap making and for consumption.   “We work all day, and the smoke is unbearable. We normally close late but have to wake up around 12 midnight to continue working because the machines are few and not fast. So, if you don’t wake up early, you will not be able to process your palm nut”, added Madam Adzara in Damang, located in the Kwaebibirem Municipal District of the Eastern Region of Ghana.   The smoke at these centers, as being described by Ruth and Adzara, emanates from the fuel used for heating. The women rely heavily on car tyres, fibre, bamboo, and firewood as sources of energy for producing the palm oil. These produce pollutants including smoke and so much heat, which impact the environment and human health adversely.   “The artisanal palm oil processers are producing more than half of the country’s palm oil but the oil is mostly of low quality due the traditional processing method. This is forcing the refineries to still be importing a lot of palm oil for various use”, noted Mac Makafui Amedzi, Mill Engineer at Solidaridad West Africa.   As noted by Makafui, though Ghana’s palm oil production is said to have increased over the decades, the country is a net importer of palm oil. In 2021, the value of palm oil imported by Ghana was $289million as against an export value of $78.1million. This calls for urgent attention to address the challenges in the sector. Local Technology to the Rescue   Recognizing the needs and gaps, under its Nationally Determined Contributions Support Programme (Deep Dive), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have  supported 10 low value grants that is improving energy efficiency and waste management in palm oil processing sites in 11 communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana.   “We were using about 2 weeks to process the palm oil. But now, with these new machines, we spend only about 5 hours to complete the process. There is no more smoke, and the environment we are working now is very hygienic”, elated Dorothy Ankapong in Bamanase in the Denkyembour District of the Eastern Region stated.   Through the project, 800 beneficiaries with more than half being women, now have access to improved energy efficient locally produced machinery including boilers, conveners, ovens, clarifiers, expellers, steamers, sustainable waste management technologies and boreholes for easy access to water.   “We appreciate the new machines. First, we used to spend a whole day taking the fresh palm nuts from the bunch which is very stressful but now, with the machines, we are using about 20-30 minutes”, expressed Dora Awuku, Women’s leader at Tweapease No.2 Palm Oil Processing Center in the Birim North District, Eastern Region. Technology has a critical role to play in mitigating climate change. The introduction of the locally manufactured technologies is providing innovative solutions to alleviate the decades of discomfort of Dorothy, Dora and the hundreds of women and young men benefiting from the intervention. This is not only impacting their health but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and thus protecting the planet.   “I am a Mechanical Engineer graduate of the Accra Technical University and always had the desire to modernize traditional ways of processing agriculture produce. I built these palm oil milling machines from scratch, mostly using local raw materials. I also work with local artisans and training them to ensure proper maintenance of the machines”, proudly stated Joshua Oluwadare, Engineer in charge of the new factory at the Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise.   For the palm oil processors, access to new technologies means increased production, stress-free processing, less processing time, less energy use, no more smoke, hygienic working environment, and more livelihood opportunities.   “I used to spend about 6000 Ghana cedis on diesel per month to run the old machines during peak seasons but now, am spending about Ghc1,500 with the electricity. What is fascinating is that I was producing only about 4 tons of oil daily but now, am doing 20 tons because I now have 120 women processors instead of the 30 processors I used to have. More so, the 4 tons sack was giving us 30 of the 25 liter gallons but now we get 45 gallons”, stated Appiah Ampofo, Owner of Ampofo A. Oil Mills & Trading in Asuom, one of the new milling centers supported under the project at Asuom in Kwaebibirem Municipality, Eastern Region.   Capitalizing Private Capital   Investment is needed to increase climate resilience and lessen the negative impacts of climate change on the environment. To unlock investment to manage the risks associated with climate change, UNDP has put greater engagement with the private sector at the heart of its climate initiatives. This is being achieved by identifying pipeline of projects that can draw private investment to blend with public finance to ensure that key economic sectors grow in a resilient manner.   “I own 310 acres of oil palm plantation and I am only providing the center for the women to process their palm nuts. I charge 5% of the liters of oil produced for running the center. The new factory is good, and I have personally so far invested over 1.6million Ghana cedis on various items including land preparation, structure, wiring, electricity transformer and electricity connectivity. This is to complement the UNDP fund for us to get a standard factory”, noted Mr. Yaw Awusi Antwi, Owner of Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise.   The comfort being enjoyed by women like Dorothy, Dora and their peers is a good example of the transformation that can be realized in catalyzing private sector capital towards sustainable development.   “The machines are helping us a lot. Our only challenge is to get three additional steamers to meet the market demand from the refineries which we are currently not able to meet. I could have purchased these steamers myself, but I have so far invested close to 70,000 Ghana cedis in the new factory, and we are grateful for the financial support from the project, which made everything possible”, Appiah, Owner of Ampofo A. Oil Mills & Trading added.   The roles played by the different actors involved in the project - Government, private sector, the communities and the implementing NGOs like Solidaridad West Africa, Organization for Livelihood Empowerment Services (OLIVES), Plan for Change Ghana, and Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association of Ghana, attest to the power of multistakeholder partnerships. This collaboration has improved energy efficiency, public health, and a safe environment for people and planet.   By scaling up solutions that work, the artisanal and small-scale palm oil producing women and men now have the power to transform their carbon-intensive footprints to one that’s greener, cleaner, and more sustainable. Public-private partnerships passed the test, calling for more private engagements to unlock investments in climate technologies and manage the risks associated with climate change towards a better, cleaner, and safer future for all.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS),78 million people have been infected with HIV and 35 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the first HIV cases were reported over 35 years ago. Stigma and discrimination are recognized as key impediments to the HIV response at every step, limiting access to critical services targeting people living with HIV/AIDS. To deliberate and collaborate on essential problems relating to HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, treatment, and advocacy, UNAIDS has organized a 3-day workshop JUTA members and key partners.   The workshop, which was held from 5th to 7th September in Akosombo, aims to strengthen and equip participants with campaigning strategies, share best practices, and chart a path forward to accelerate progress toward the fight towards HIV/AIDS and related issues. The UNAIDS Country Director for Ghana, Mr. Héctor Sucilla Pérez, expressed enthusiasm about the workshop's potential impact to help prevent HIV issues and develop HIV response strategies through combined effort of the United Nations in Ghana. He said the UN will continue to support HIV response. “We cannot put HIV response on hold until it becomes alarming, it must be done daily.” He said. “Making sure that no one is left behind, these are things that must cut across… {We need} to make sure that people living with HIV are not discriminated against” said the UN Resident Coordinator Charles Abani. The facilitators for the day, UNAIDS Consultant Mr. Gnanam Devadass and the Influencing and Partnerships Director of UNAIDS in Geneva, Ms. Muleya Mwananyanda, shared practical tools on advocacy and awareness creation through interactive engagement. Ms. Mwananyanda emphasized on the need for the various UN Agencies to come together as this will propel them to get to where they want to get with the fight on HIV. “The workshop is to help participant help each other and support each other and to look at the enormity of the work and look at the challenges with HIV and solutions” she said. The Director of Communications at UNAIDS Geneva, Ben Philips buttressed on the importance of communications to make a change and support the process to eliminate AIDS as a public health crisis by 2030. “This is possible but requires real transformative actions” he added. The workshop's agenda included plenary sessions, discussions, and interactive activities. Participants engaged in open dialogue, shared experiences, and worked collectively to address the ongoing challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. The outcomes of this workshop are expected to feed into national strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention through advocacy.  

The high-level meetings and the general debate of the seventy-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly begin in New York on 19 September 2023. The theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all” has been proposed for the general debate at the seventy-eighth session. Find details in the information note. Also available here is the provisional list of speakers at the general debate.  

In a bid to promote awareness and preservation of underwater cultural heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ghana in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Abuja office and key stakeholders engages in a workshop on underwater cultural heritage under the theme of " Strengthening National Capacities to Protect and Promote the Underwater Cultural Heritage of West Africa". The three-day workshop: from the 28th to the 30th of August in Accra, aims to support the effective implementation of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in Nigeria and Ghana as well as build capacity among the focal persons and institutions of the Convention to develop and implement an inventory of the underwater cultural heritage of these two countries. The UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo commended participants gathered for their universal commitment to protect the rich and diverse underwater cultural heritage. He highlighted its importance as an integral part of West Africa's shared history and identity. “The underwater cultural heritage of our region is not just a collection of artefacts or historical remnants, but it is a story of our shared past, a testament to our resilience, spirit and shared cultural values. It tells unique stories of trade, migration, worship, and cultural exchange, providing a crucial link to our past” he said. Mr. Diallo also applauded the Government of Ghana for ratifying the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2015 and urged all governments to contextualize the framework, safeguarding underwater heritage from threats such as environmental damage, oil exploration, and mining activities. “The role of government in this endeavor cannot be overemphasized…however, governments cannot accomplish this task single-handedly. Collaboration and partnerships, both local and international, are essential for effective heritage management. We need to come together, share best practices, and develop cooperative strategies” he added. The Culture Programme Specialist for UNESCO Abuja, Mr. Philippe Delanghe elaborated on the significant role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Academic institutions in protecting underwater cultural heritage through the development of policies and regulations related to underwater cultural heritage preservation. “They provide input based on their expertise and advocate for legal frameworks that support conservation efforts” he stated. The Deputy Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, emphasized on the urgent need to address the challenges of global warming and climate change and called for action and awareness creation, especially in the context of Ghana's unique environmental issues. He highlighted the importance of media in spreading awareness and educating the public about these crucial matters.  “The creative industry's role in promoting this message through various forms of content is a powerful idea. Every action we take towards nature, water, and trees will come back and haunt us and this is an important reality check”. Other Solidarity statements from the Chargé d'affaires and Head of Cooperation, Embassy of France to Ghana, Mr. Julien Lecas, and the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie echoed their commitment to support the protection and safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The workshop engaged participants in discussions on the various aspects of the underwater cultural heritage of West Africa including discussions on the relevance of Underwater Cultural Heritage to the Blue Economy.