# Ghana — State Action Plans - **Source:** ICAO (state_action_plans) - **Country code:** GHA - **Year:** 2021 - **Language:** en - **Origin URL:** https://www.icao.int/sites/default/files/sp-files/environmental-protection/Documents/ActionPlan/Ghana_Action_Plan-on-CO2-Emission_Reduction_Activities.pdf - **Ingested:** 2026-06-15T11:52:18.819559+00:00 - **Extraction:** pymupdf --- 1 GHANA’S ACTION PLAN ON CO2 EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACTIVITIES SECTION 1 - CONTACT AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1.1 Contact Information Name of the Authority : Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Point of Contact : Mr. William Gyamerah Agyare Address : PMB Kotoka International Airport Country : Ghana State/Province : Greater Accra Region City : Accra Telephone Number : +233-243-189862 Fax Number: +233-302-776995 E-mail address: wagyare@caa.com.gh 1.2 GHANA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (GCAA) 1.2.1 Background Prior to the enactment of the Civil Aviation Act 2004 (Act 678) in November 2004, GCAA operated under PNDC Law 151 of 16th May, 1986 – a promulgation that established it as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Transport and Communication. Before then it existed as a Department under the Ministry of Transport since 1953. In accordance with Act 2004 (Act 678), which stipulated the separation of the Airports Management functions from the existing Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), GCAA was decoupled into two entities: i. Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which is to plan, develop, manage and maintain all airports and aerodromes in the country; ii. A new GCAA, which was to focus on its core regulatory function and also to provide air navigation services. Pursuant to the above Civil Aviation Act 2004 (Act 678), the new Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was formed, which began operations as a separate entity from January 2007. 2 1.2.2 Functions of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) The functions of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority are conferred on it by Ghana Civil Aviation Act 2004(Act 678) that replaced PNDC Law 151 of May 1986. GCAA is established as an autonomous statutory government agency responsible for the development of air transport in Ghana. 1.2.3 Functions Strategically, the functions of GCAA can be stated as follows: I. Licensing of air transport and provision of accommodation in aircraft; II. Licensing of cockpit and cabin crew, flight and ground engineers, air traffic controllers and any other persons engaged in aircraft operations; III. Licensing and certification of aerodromes and the construction, operation, maintenance and management of navigation sites; IV. Provision of air navigation services within the Accra Flight Information Region; V. Securing the safety of air transport, life and property; VI. Prescribing measures to ensure airworthiness of civil aircraft; VII. Registration and deregistration of aircraft; VIII. Supervising aircraft operations; IX. Advising Government on matters relating to civil aviation The above GCAA corporate functions, should in the long run aim at: I. Increasing stakeholder value; II. Recovering cost as much as possible; III. Developing opportunities for domestic and international travel and trade; IV. Representing the country on all matters concerning civil aviation and ensure enactments of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); V. Building public confidence in safe and secure air transport; 3 VI. Contributing to over-all national development agenda and serve the community in which it is located 1.4 GCAA CORPORATE STATEMENTS 1.4.1 Mission Statement To provide safe, secure, efficient and effective Aviation Regulation and Air Navigation Services in a professional and environmentally responsible manner. 1.5 GROWTH OF AVIATION INDUSTRY 1.5.1 Aircraft Movements Aircraft movements for the period 2011 to 2014 grew at an average of about 5.0% though it dipped in 2012 by 0.9% when compared with 2011. The average performance within this period is due to increasing demand for air travels resulting from a rebound in the global air transport industry following an increase in business confidence in both the global and local economy. This has resulted in operation of new entrants and increased flight frequency by a number of existing airlines at Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first two cases in Ghana were confirmed on 12 March 2020, when two infected people came to Ghana, one from Norway and the other from Turkey. The statistics have inconsistently shown an increase and decrease on the outbreak. The outbreak undoubtedly impeded the country’s aviation ambitions as travel restrictions had to be imposed to reduce the transmission of the virus. However, the only airlines that flew at the time of inception were cargo flights. 4 In Ghana, from 3 January 2020 to 15 June 2021, there have been 94,493 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 789 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 14 June 2021, a total of 1,228,216 vaccine doses have been administered. Daily updates of the status from inception of covid-19 outbreak and mitigation measures are shared on the Ghana Health Service website. 1.5.2 Passenger Throughputs Passenger thru put recorded an average growth of about 6.0% for the period 2011 to 2014 though 2013 registered a drop of 3.3% when compared with 2012. The low load factor 2013 is attributed to the effects of the Euro Zone crisis and its adverse impact on demand for air travels. 1.5.3 Air Freight Air freight volumes recorded a fluctuating pattern within the period 2010 to 2014. It fell by 7.3% when compared with year 2011 and further worsened by 6.2% between 2012 and 2013. However, freight uplift for 2014 improved significantly as a result of recovery in the Euro zone economies. However in this backdrop of formulating an action plan to reduce the CO2 emission level of the country more emphasis is placed on the international air operators segment on producing CO2 at international level and on all the other three segments (Aerodrome Operators, Air Navigation Service Providers and allied industries) on their involvement to reduce CO2 emission level. 5 1.5.3 Ghana Airports Aircraft movements for the period 2011 to 2014 grew at an average of about 5.0% though it dipped in 2012 by 0.9% when compared with 2011. The average performance within this period is due to increasing demand for air travels resulting from a rebound in the global air transport industry following an increase in business confidence in both the global and local economy. Planning, developing, managing and maintenance of all airports and aerodromes in Ghana are the responsibility of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which was established as a result of the decoupling of the existing Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The Ghana Civil Aviation Organizational Chart 1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 6 One of the major challenges facing the air transport industry is reaching and maintaining an appropriate balance between growth and environmental protection. Initiatives to promote the sustainability of aviation activities in synchronization with growth of the industry over the past four decades have been quite successful, with noise from aircraft reduced by 75% and CO2 emissions intensity by 70%. At its 37th Assembly Session, ICAO adopted the global inspirational goals of 2 per cent annual fuel efficiency improvement and, in the medium-term, stabilization of CO2 emissions. It also had an agreement on the guiding principles for the design and implementation of market-based measures for reduction of emissions in international aviation. ICAO has also concluded agreement on a global framework for the development and deployment of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation, as well as an agreement on the deadline of 2013 for the development of a CO2 standard for aircraft. Substantive ICAO guidance materials are available to assist States in the implementation of a ‘balanced approach’ to noise management, comprising four principal elements of reduction of noise at source; land-use planning and management; noise abatement operational procedures; and operating restrictions on aircraft. 1.6.1 Environmental Protection The assembly re-affirmed its collective inspirational goal of 2 per cent annual fuel efficiency improvement and, in the medium-term, stabilisation of CO2 emissions, as agreed in the 37th ICAO Assembly, as stated above. Key actions within this strategy period will be geared towards capacity building and assistance to States in the development and implementation of their action plans to reduce CO2 emissions. Deliberations pertaining to new technologies, operational measures and sustainable 7 alternative fuels to improve aviation environmental performance, culminated in a multilateral global Market-Base Measure (MBM) agreement, amongst States at the 38th Assembly, with the goal of addressing global climate challenges in the future. SECTION 2 – BASELINE RESULTS The objective of this section is to provide States with the necessary guidance on how to select measures to limit or reduce CO2 emissions from international aviation. It includes sections on baseline establishment, feasibility and emissions reduction potential of measures, prioritization and selection of measures, expected results, metrics and implementation. Section 2.1 below describes the total fuel consumption, international fuel consumption, total CO2 emission and CO2 emission (in Millions), resulting from domestic airlines undertaking international operations. 2.1 Baseline YEAR TOTAL FUEL (litres) TOTAL CO2 EMISSIONS ( kg) TOTAL Fuel Used ( kg) 2010 134,217,800 331,668,290 104,958,319 2011 167,871,800 414,831,362 131,275,748 2012 175,351,200 433,313,857 137,124,638 2013 163,670,300 404,448,952 127,990,174 2014 141,307,800 349,188,531 110,502,700 2015 138,980,035 108,682,387 343,436,344 2016 164,020,400 405,314,091 128,263,953 2017 206,739,600 510,878,360 161,670,367 2018 248,538,100 614,167,470 194,356,794 2019 287,483,600 710,406,474 224,812,175 2020 159,615,300 394,428,506 124,819,165 8 Graphical representation of Table 2.1 0 100000000 200000000 300000000 400000000 500000000 600000000 700000000 800000000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 YEAR TOTAL FUEL (litres) TOTAL CO2 EMISSIONS ( kg) 9 SECTION 3: LISTS OF SELECTED MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE Emission Reduction Category Improved air traffic management and infrastructure use Action • Introduction of new routes in the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR) • Flexible and direct routing airspace planning within the Accra FIR • Performance Based Navigation (PBN). Continuous decent operations and continuous climb operations. • Airport collaborative decision making to make decision in real time to reduce fuel. • Atlantic Ocean Random Routing Area (AORRA) Start date 2010 Date of full implementation 2014 Economic cost The project is a state owned infrastructure development project funded by Government through Ghana Civil Aviation Authority. Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation ACT 678, L.I. 2000 Part 16 Section 2 (Aircraft Engine Emissions) If a new legislation is proposed N/A Compliance to the legislation Voluntary Mandatory N/A Mandatory Assistance needed YES Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research o Other o Technical support o Education o Research 10 Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Air Traffic Services Airlines Regulatory Measures ACT 678, L.I. 2000 Action • Legislative reform • Part 16 Section 2 (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Start date 2000 Date of full implementation 2000 Economic cost The project is a state owned infrastructure development project funded by Government through Ghana Civil Aviation Authority. Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation ACT 678, L.I. 2000 Part 16 Section 2 (Aircraft Engine Emissions) If a new legislation is proposed N/A Compliance to the legislation Voluntary Mandatory N/A Mandatory Assistance needed YES Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research o Other o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research 11 Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Air Traffic Services airlines Modernisation of Airport Facilities Capital Infrastructure of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) phase 3 development project Action • Use of renewable energy sources in the upgrade of airport facilities • Use of LED/ other energy serving for electrical facilities • Installing equipment at gates to reduce the use of auxiliary power units Start date 2010 Date of full implementation On-going Economic cost The project is a state owned infrastructure development project funded by Government’s airport development fund through Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation N/A If a new legislation is proposed N/A Compliance to the legislation Voluntary Mandatory N/A Voluntary Assistance needed N/A Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education N/A 12 o Research o Other Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Airlines Ground handling Companies Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) Airlines Ground handling Companies Introduction of new aircraft to their fleets and equipment Action • Airline operators are adopting new operational measures to increase their fuel efficiency. • Airline operators have introduced maintenance systems and planning procedures to ensure reduction in CO2 emissions. • Introduction of environmental management practices like ISO14000 by ground handlers is contributing to the reduction in emissions in general. Start date Date of full implementation On-going Economic cost N/A Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation N/A If a new legislation is proposed N/A Compliance to the legislation Voluntary Mandatory N/A Voluntary Assistance needed N/A 13 Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research o Other N/A Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Airlines Ground handling Companies Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Airport Improvements Development of additional runways Action • Construction of extra apron (northern Apron) to relieve aircraft congestion • Install airport renewable energy systems like solar panels • Reduce energy consumption Start date 2020 Date of full implementation On-going Economic cost The project is a state owned infrastructure development project funded by Government’s airport development fund through Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation N/A If a new legislation is proposed N/A 14 Compliance to the legislation Voluntary Mandatory N/A Voluntary Assistance needed N/A Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research o Other N/A Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Airlines Ground handling Companies Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) More efficient operations Introduction of new vehicles to existing fleets Action • Purchase low or zero-emission vehicles Start date 2022 Date of full implementation On-going Economic cost N/A Currency N/A Reference to existing legislation N/A If a new legislation is proposed N/A Compliance to the legislation 15 Voluntary Mandatory N/A Voluntary Assistance needed N/A Assistance needed ( you can select more than one) o Finance o Technology o Technical support o Education o Research o Other N/A Currency for financial assistance N/A List of stakeholders involved Airlines Ground handling Companies Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) 16 SECTION 4: EXPECTED RESULTS YEAR * TOT AL RTK (Ann ual rate 5.8% ) TOTAL FUEL (litres) Total CO2 Emissions(kg ) Internat ional RTK International Fuel Litres (Litres) International CO2 Emissions (kg) 2021 0.058 321,786,792 795,173,777 0.110 85,211,387,045 210,567,562,754 2022 0.058 340,463,122 841,325,230 0.110 94,584,639,620 214,143,354,657 2023 0.058 360,209,983 890,122,093 0.110 104,988,949,977 259,440,294,067 2024 0.058 381,102,162 941,749,174 0.110 116,537,734,474 287,978,726,413 2025 0.058 403,206,087 996,370,625 0.110 129,356,885,266 319,656,386,217 2026 0.058 426,592,040 105,416,012 0.110 143,586,142,645 354,818,588,811 2027 0.058 451,334,379 111,530,141 0.110 159,380,618,335 393,848,633,576 2028 0.058 477,511,773 117,998,889 0.110 176,912,486,351 437,171,983,270 2029 0.058 505,207,456 124,842,825 0.110 196,372,859,849 485,260,901,427 2030 0.058 534,509,489 132,083,709 0.110 217,973,874,432 538,639,600,583 2031 0.058 565,511,039 139,744,564 0.110 241,951,000,619 597,889,956,649 2032 0.058 598,310,679 147,849,749 0.110 268,565,610,687 663,657,851,880 2033 0.058 633,012,699 156,425,034 0.110 298,107,827,862 736,660,215,586 2034 0.058 669,727,435 165,497,686 0.110 330,899,688,926 817,692,839,298 2035 0.058 708,571,627 175,096,552 0.110 367,298,654,707 907,639,051,616 2036 0.058 749,668,781 185,252,152 0.110 407,701,506,724 1.00747934729 2037 0.058 793,149,570 195,996,777 0.110 452,548,672,463 1.11830207549 2038 0.058 839,152,245 207,364,590 0.110 502,329,026,433 1.24131530379 2039 0.058 887,823,075 219,391,736 0.110 557,585,219,340 1.37785998721 2040 0.058 939,316,814 232,116,457 0.110 618,919,593,467 1.52942458580 17 * Minimum data to be entered In optimal conditions: 1 litre of fuel is approximately equivalent to 0.8 kg of fuel. (Please note that the density may vary between 750 and 850 kg/m3 at 15oCelsius – see Guidance material page 19). 1 kg of fuel burn is equivalent to 3.157 kg of CO2 emissions. Density used (782) and annual RTK rate value for projected years. Graphical representation of Table 4 0 200000000 400000000 600000000 800000000 1E+09 1.2E+09 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 YEAR* TOTAL FUEL Total CO2 Emissions(kg) 18 4.1 Supporting Documents The data for the Baseline results were obtained from a major fuel distribution outfit in Ghana, Joint Use Hydrant Installation (JUHI) and Puma Energy Distribution Company Limited. These results were then mathematically extrapolated to obtain the Expected Data in table in Section 4.