Ghana must reject coal and invest in clean energy

The Government of Ghana has advanced plans to construct a 2x350MW supercritical coal fired power plant in Ekumfi Aboano in the Central Region of Ghana. The project, scheduled to commence in August 2016 will see the import of 2 million tons per year of coal from South Africa. It is a joint venture between the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Shenzhen Energy Group of China and estimated to cost $US1.5bn.

According to VRA, it has become necessary to invest in coal power primary to meet the country‘s increasing demands (7% Growth – GRIDCo) resulting in energy demand of 47,342 GWh by 2030 and a peak load of 7000MW. It also seeks to improve supply reliability with a base load plant, matured and proven in technology to provide electricity with unrestricted fuel.

Campaigners and clean energy advocates, led by Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) and it‘s allies responded to the Scoping Report of the project published by the VRA and Shenzhen Energy Group by raising concerns about the devastating environmental and public health problems the project would cause:

The high level of fly ash, particulate matter (PM10), smog and other thermal pollution related impacts associated with the operation of coal power;

The tons of waste— about 5 million tonnes of ash waste (per annum) that would be generated from the plant, the air pollution of poisonous and hazardous gases (SO2, Oxides of Nitrogen, etc) that are injurious to heath, the discharges into water bodies that threaten aquatic life forms (including turtle breeding grounds close to the project site) and the destruction of the natural environment;

The health of the 55.9% of children of the entire population of 1,900 people in Ekumfi Aboano and their vulnerability to air-borne pollutants such as PM10 and smog that causes respiratory infections. (WHO accepted coal as a human carcinogenic substance in 2013);

Coal as the world‘s dirtiest fossil fuel chiefly responsible for the 40 billion tonnes per year of atmospheric carbon pollution that causes global warming and climate change.

Today April 22 being Earth Day, we want to bring to the attention of our leaders their commitment towards people and planet— protecting human lives and preserving the planet for future generations rather than choosing profit over people and economics over the ecosystem. We also respectfully remind the President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama of his role as the Co-Chair of a group of 16 influential global figures supporting the UN in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 which is important to ensure a safer and habitable planet.

We urge the VRA and its partners to consider rejecting coal and invest in clean energy. Ultimately we also encourage transparency in all of the public engagements concerning the project.