Ghana - Deliver training programme for the implementation of new regulations on cooling appliances and ozone-depleting substances  - GH-24-007

Overview 

This project responds to the request by Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Following assessments of energy efficiency and consumption in the cooling sector, Ghana’s Energy Commission (EC) has recently revised the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), embodied in the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling (Air Conditioners) (LI 2458) 2022. This legislation enforces compliance with MEPS, introduces star ratings, and mandates the registration of all air conditioner models.  

This project should develop a training programme to achieve the aims of this legislation:  

• Enhance customs officials' understanding of the new regulations related to the importation of cooling appliances and ozone-depleting substances.  
• Strengthen the enforcement capabilities of customs officials by providing knowledge on identification, inspection, and verification of cooling appliances and ODS during the importation process.  
• Raise awareness amongst customs officials about the environmental and health impacts of ozone depletion and the importance of compliance with international agreements.  
• Promote collaboration and coordination between customs officials and relevant stakeholders, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to facilitate effective implementation and enforcement of the new regulations.
• Strengthen the capacity of supervisory agencies on monitoring, verification and enforcement (MVE).

This project will support the enforcement of Ghana’s MEPS and implementation of the Kigali amendment that Ghana has ratified.

More information on Ghana’s work on short-lived climate pollutants can be found on their Partner Page.  

Who to involve

Energy Commission (EC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI); Ghana Standards Authority (GSA0); Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS); Ministry of Trade and Industry

Expected results

Outcome 1: Customs officials of Ghana have strengthened capacity to enforce regulations for the importation of cooling appliances and ozone-depleting substances by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action 

Output 1.1: Training needs assessment conducted regarding the new electrical appliances and ODS regulations conducted, current MEPS/ Labels, MVE and product certification procedures, testing standards and lab situation.

Output 1.2: Training modules and materials developed, covering the regulations, including quality standards, testing procedures, certification requirements, and safety guidelines, developed for customs officials.  

Output 1.3: Training workshops delivered to an estimated total of 700 customs officials and customs training schools, ensuring maximum participation, engagement and sustainability.  

Output 1.4: Site visits to recognized testing laboratories and certification bodies organized to increase awareness on the availability of and role of the testing laboratories, and understanding on how testing and verification are conducted.

Output 1.5: Collaboration and learning platform targeting customs officials developed.  

Output 1.6: Monitoring and evaluation plan developed to assess the impact of the training program and identify areas for improvement.

Outcome 2: Ghana’s supervisory agencies (Customs, Energy Commission and Ghana Standards Authority) have strengthened capacity for Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement (MVE) of ozone depleting substances by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

Output 2.1: Training workshops delivered to supervisory agencies on test standards and important technical parameters for MVE.

Output 2.2: Recommendations delivered on MVE upgrade

Outcome 3: Communications materials on Ghana's efforts to prevent the environmental dumping of inefficient cooling appliances with banned or soon to be banned refrigerants are disseminated by the end of the project.

Output 3.1: Web story on the project results are developed and published

Output 3.2: Online or in-person training by the Ghana Energy Commission for other interested developing countries on policies and enforcement against dumping 

APPLICATION PROCESs

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity. 
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses 
• Project duration is less than 24 months
• Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected. 
• Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders 
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed

• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1
   

  
  Selection process

• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners. 
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.
• The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

NOTE: DUE DILIGENCE 

In addition to eligibility criteria outlined above, qualified UNEP/CCAC implementers* must meet the following criteria: 

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years 
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.
  * (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only, and as such, total costs in the following categories must fall below a certain threshold*:

• Contractual Services
• Equipment, Vehicles and Furniture
• Operating and other Direct costs

• Supplies, Commodities and Materials

  
  *Agreements of $200,000 and below: up to $20,000 or 15% of total budget, whichever is lower.

  *Agreements of above $200,000: up to $40,000 or 15%. * United Nations agencies are exempt from this requirement