The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr. Malik Basintale, has announced plans to advocate for a nationwide ban on charcoal made from wood, citing environmental degradation and health risks associated with traditional charcoal production.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between YEA and Zaacoal Company Limited on Tuesday, September 30, Mr. Basintale emphasized the urgent need to shift towards cleaner, more sustainable alternatives such as charcoal made from coconut husks, corn cobs, and rice husks.
The partnership will see approximately 32,000 young Ghanaians trained over the next two years in the production of eco-friendly charcoal, commonly known as biochar.
This initiative aims to promote green jobs, curb youth unemployment, and support the country’s broader climate resilience strategy.
“We must find alternative ways to survive.
We must create employment, and most importantly, we must protect and preserve the environment,” Mr. Basintale stated.
He criticized the ongoing widespread practice of cutting down trees for charcoal, describing it as environmentally destructive and unsustainable.
“As we speak, someone in my hometown is sweating, axing down a tree just to burn it into charcoal.
That practice must end,” he said.
To address this, Mr. Basintale expressed his intention to engage with President John Dramani Mahama to advocate for legislation criminalizing the production and distribution of charcoal derived from wood.
He proposed that only charcoal made from agricultural and household waste should be permitted, and violators should face legal consequences.
“If someone is found transporting or selling wood-based charcoal, they should be arrested,” he added.
Zaacoal Company Limited, the technical partner in this initiative, has been producing sustainable charcoal for over a decade.
Its CEO, Mr. Sulley Amin Abubakar, shared insights into the company’s journey and expressed optimism about the collaboration.
“It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve come a long way through determination.
Now, we’re ready to scale up by recruiting and training more youth,” Mr. Abubakar said.
He believes the partnership with YEA will not only contribute significantly to job creation but also offer a long-term solution to Ghana’s environmental challenges.
The project represents a significant step toward a circular economy and underscores the importance of private-public partnerships in addressing national issues such as youth unemployment and climate change.
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