Shipping activity impacts air quality in Tema — EPA boss

#]The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has raised concerns over the environmental impact of shipping activities in Tema, citing emissions from vessels and port operations as major contributors to air pollution and public health risks.

Speaking at the Port Effectiveness and Public-Private Cooperation (PEPP II) conference in Accra, she emphasized the need for Ghana to adopt sustainable maritime practices to mitigate these effects. According to her, the country must align with the International Maritime Organisation’s goal of reducing global shipping emissions by 50% in 2025.

Prof. Klutse advocated for the use of low-sulfur fuel, liquefied natural gas, biofuels, and hydrogen-based alternatives, while also calling for incentives such as tax holidays, green financing, and subsidies to encourage shipping companies to transition to cleaner energy sources.

The acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, stressed the importance of industry collaboration and reaffirmed the GMA’s commitment to enforcing maritime regulations, pollution control measures, and port security.

The conference also featured findings from the PEPP-II Project, led by Prof. Annette Skovsted Hansen, which highlighted research on the sustainability of African ports, particularly Tema, based on studies conducted over the past six years with experts from Ghana, Denmark, Togo, and the United States.