Press release: Accra reinforces climate and energy leadership with support from the European Union and the German Cooperation

Accra, 24 May 2024 - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), which is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Ghana, this agreement reinforces AMA’s dedication to sustainable energy and low-emission infrastructure development. With this move, AMA underlines its commitment to a sustainable future for its citizens.
 

Today, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the regional capital of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, strengthened its commitment to promote sustainable and reliable energy, bolster resilience, amplify mitigation and adaptation measures, and promote climate-smart infrastructure. This step forward was taken by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), which is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Ghana.

 

The collaboration between AMA and CoM SSA offers technical support and advice through implementing Urban Smart Energy (USE) to install decentralized energy systems and improve energy efficiency in municipal sites like city halls, markets, schools, and healthcare centres, active involvement in workshops, training programs, international events, and unlocking access to valuable resources and intercity collaborations through the CoM SSA network.

 

From its original commitment as a signatory city in October 2015, the Metro Chief Executive, Honorable Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, alongside the AMA team, underscored their commitment to CoM SSA in May 2024. “As a part of our Climate Action Plan implementation, AMA will further its commitment to support sustainable, affordable and reliable energy solutions, increase mitigation measures and ensure the provision of low-emission and climate-smart infrastructure,” said Hon. Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey. “We are excited to transform our city into a more resilient city by equipping our buildings with a clean and sustainable energy source through the support of CoM SSA”.

 

Mrs. Paulina ROZYCKA, Head of the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Section at the European Union Delegation, stated: “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with CoM SSA by Accra Metropolitan Assembly demonstrates their readiness to lead by example in taking bold climate action. They have shown leadership and enthusiasm to work towards securing access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy within the Assembly and for the broader community. The European Union will, of course, support Accra in its efforts. The Covenant of Mayors, supported by Team Europe across sub-Saharan Africa, has demonstrated their ability by championing and collaborating with more than 370 cities.”

 

With this fortified partnership, the Assembly is set to benefit from many services and support via the CoM SSA network, notably the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Ghana. “CoM SSA is pleased to see AMA continuing to be a leader in sub-Saharan Africa on climate action,” said Shea O'Neil, GIZ CoM SSA Ghana Project Manager. “We eagerly anticipate collaborating with AMA to assess their public buildings for solar potential and facilitate partnerships with the private sector to implement energy solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective.”.

AMA and CoM SSA look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will significantly contribute to the global fight against climate change and the journey towards a more sustainable future.

 

CoM SSA is the regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), the largest global initiative of cities addressing climate and energy challenges. This bottom-up initiative encourages cities to voluntarily set and achieve ambitious yet realistic climate and energy targets. As of 2024, the network includes over 370 cities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Since January 2019, the initiative is co-funded by the European Union, the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) with a total funding amount of €35.7 M, providing in-depth support to cities in 14 countries, including Ghana. It is jointly implemented by four European Member State Organizations namely GIZ, AECID, AFD and Expertise France.

 

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the German Federal Ministry and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the other co-funders.

 

 

Accra Metropolitan Assembly

Contact No/ email: 0243211345/  infor@ama.gov.gh

 

CoM SSA Communication Officer                                            

Contact email: frida.baldeon@giz.de                                   

                                                                                   

European Union Press and Information Officer                     

Contact email: Abdul-Kudus.HUSEIN@eeas.europa.eu