Ghana Deepens Commitment to Ozone Protection as World Marks 40 Years of Global Action

 

Forty years ago, the world faced a looming environmental disaster. Scientists had discovered that everyday chemicals used in refrigeration, aerosol sprays, and foam production were tearing holes in the ozone layer, the Earth’s shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Left unchecked, this could have triggered a global health and ecological crisis – with rising skin cancers, crop failures, and marine ecosystem collapse.

But in a rare show of unity, nations came together under the Vienna Convention and later the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to phase out ozone-depleting substances. Decades later, those bold decisions are paying off: the ozone layer is healing, and humanity has proof that coordinated global action can solve planetary challenges.

This year’s World Ozone Day 2025, celebrated on September 16 under the theme “40 Years of Ozone Protection: From Science to Global Action,” highlights this success story while reminding the world of unfinished business.

Ghana’s Local Achievements

In Ghana, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says the country has made steady progress in phasing out ozone-depleting substances. Harmful chemicals once common in polyurethane foam manufacturing, refrigeration, and air conditioning have largely been eliminated, reducing emissions that damage both the ozone layer and the climate.

“This success is more than environmental protection,” an EPA spokesperson explained. “It is climate action, because many ozone-depleting substances are also powerful greenhouse gases. By phasing them out, we are contributing directly to a safer and more sustainable future.”

New Step: Certification of Refrigeration and AC Technicians

To sustain these gains, Ghana has introduced a landmark measure: the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certification Regulations (LI 2025). The law requires all refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians to undergo training and certification to ensure they can install, maintain, and decommission equipment safely.

The move is critical to prevent harmful refrigerants from leaking into the atmosphere, while also equipping local technicians with modern skills.

“This regulation not only protects the ozone layer,” the EPA said, “but also creates professional standards that enhance job opportunities and service quality in Ghana’s fast-growing cooling sector.”

The Kigali Amendment: Next Frontier

While the Montreal Protocol tackled ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs, the Kigali Amendment—which Ghana has ratified—focuses on reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Though safer for the ozone layer, HFCs are potent climate-warming gases. Their phase-down is expected to avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming this century.

For Ghana, this means a double benefit: safeguarding the ozone while meeting its climate commitments.

Public Call to Action

The EPA is urging citizens and businesses to play their part by:

• Choosing ozone-friendly products when buying fridges, freezers, and air conditioners.
• Hiring certified technicians to handle refrigerants.
• Practicing proper recycling and disposal of old appliances.
• Educating communities about the link between ozone protection and climate action.

“Every Ghanaian can make a difference,” the EPA emphasized. “Protecting the ozone layer is not just a government responsibility – it’s a shared duty.”

Linking Ozone Protection to Everyday Lives

Experts say Ghana’s leadership in phasing out harmful chemicals and regulating new ones is not just about compliance with global treaties. It directly improves public health by reducing exposure to harmful UV rays, boosts food security by protecting crops from radiation damage, and supports sustainable economic growth.

“Protecting the ozone is really about protecting lives and livelihoods,” said an environmental policy analyst. “It’s about ensuring children can grow up under safer skies, farmers can maintain harvests, and our health systems are not overwhelmed by preventable illnesses.”

Looking Ahead

As Ghana joins the world in marking 40 years of ozone protection, the message is clear: collective action works. But with new threats like HFCs and rising global emissions, the journey is not over.

The EPA, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will continue nationwide awareness campaigns in schools, public institutions, and communities, making sure the next generation understands the link between ozone protection, climate change, and sustainable development.

“This is a legacy we must protect,” the EPA concluded. “What the world achieved with the ozone layer gives us hope that, together, we can tackle the climate crisis too.”