Sherrey Ayitey appointed to the board of ECOWAS-ECREEE

Accra, July 18, GNA - Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), has being appointed to serve on the board of the Economic Community of West African States Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).

In a letter of appointment dated May 17th, 2011, the President of the ECOWAS Commission stated that, 93The ECOWAS Commission is honoured to nominate you to the Board of ECREEE as the representative of the ECOWAS Environment Ministers. We would be most grateful if you would accept this nomination".

A statement signed by Mr George Scott, Chief Director of the MEST said the letter also commended the Government of Ghana for its invaluable support for ECOWAS integration programmes.

The Economic Community for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency ECREEE, which was established in November 2009 by the ECOWAS Commission, is a specialized ECOWAS Agency that acts as an independent body within the legal, administrative and financial framework of ECOWAS rules and regulations.

At the 9th Meeting of the ECOWAS Ministers for Energy in Bissau, 2008, a resolution to establish a regional centre dedicated for renewable energy and energy efficiency was adopted. Following a successful completion of the preparatory phrase, the centre was officially inaugurated in 2010 with Cape Verde as the Head-Quarters.

ECREEE is governed by an Executive Board and Technical Committee. The Executive Board is the highest decision making body and meets on a yearly basis to provide strategic guidance and approve the work plan and progress reports, among others.

The centre's operations comprise, one representative of the ECOWAS Energy Ministers, one representative of the ECOWAS Environment Ministers, three representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, three representatives from Donor or Multilateral Agencies, one Energy Expert from the ECOWAS Region and the Executive Director-Secretary.

The centre is to improve energy security, increase access to modern energy services and support the region's economic and social development, in an environmentally benign manner, through the promotion and use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in ECOWAS member states.

It also aims at conditioning the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in West Africa by providing at least half of the people with access to modern energy services using renewal energy and energy efficient technologies and services.