By Ghana News
Copyright ghanamma
Accra, Sept. 16, GNA – The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has urged Ghanaians to help protect the ozone layer by choosing ozone-friendly products.
The Authority is also appealing to the public to engage certified refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians, recycle old appliances as their contribution towards protecting the ozone layer.
The call comes as Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark World Ozone Day 2025, on the theme “40 Years of Ozone Protection: Science and Global Action”, a statement jointly issued by the Public Affairs of the EPA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Tuesday in Accra.
The EPA said even little individual actions such as checking for eco-labels on cooling appliances and ensuring refrigerants were handled safely could make a big difference in safeguarding the ozone layer and tackling climate change.
This year’s celebration marks four decades since nations united under the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol to phase out harmful ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), once widely used in refrigeration, foams, and aerosol sprays.
The Protocol is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental treaties.
It said Ghana, through the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, had phased out many harmful chemicals in refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam manufacturing sectors.
It had also ratified the Kigali Amendment, which targets the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—chemicals that do not destroy the ozone layer but are powerful climate-warming gases.
In a landmark step, the EPA announced the passage of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certification Regulations (LI 2025), which standardizes the training and certification of RAC technicians.
The regulation would ensure that technicians possess the skills to safely install, maintain, and decommission equipment while handling refrigerants responsibly.
“This initiative will not only protect the ozone layer but also reinforce Ghana’s climate commitments,” the EPA and UNDP said in a statement.
The Authority, in partnership with the UNDP was rolling out nationwide outreach programmes targeting schools, communities, and public institutions to highlight the link between ozone protection, climate action, and sustainable development.
The EPA acknowledged the contributions of scientists, governments, industries, and communities in reducing ozone-depleting substances, stressing that sustained collaboration and innovation are needed to tackle emerging environmental challenges.
It said: “On this World Ozone Day, we call on all citizens, industries, and institutions to join us in this mission. Our collective actions, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.”GNA16 Sept. 2025Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong
