EfD Ghana hosted a stakeholder workshop to review draft findings from its ongoing research on Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) in developing countries. The session brought together people from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to refine the draft research report ahead of the second international workshop of the multi-country project scheduled for 25 - 27 July in Accra.
The workshop builds on the December 2024 inception meeting that launched the project. The research team presented the preliminary findings and invited feedback on the report’s content, methodology, and practical implications. The participants, who have remained actively engaged since the project’s inception and contributed to the data collection process, provided constructive input that will inform the next iteration of the report.
"These engagements are essential for producing research that is both rigorous and relevant," said Wisdom Akpalu, lead researcher and Director of EfD Ghana. "The insights shared today will strengthen the final outputs and enhance their policy impact."
The project spans Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Morocco, and seeks to support national efforts to harness VCMs for climate and development goals. The July workshop will convene country teams and key stakeholders to validate findings, share cross-country insights, and deepen collaboration.
“From inception to this follow-up, we’re seeing strong, sustained collaboration,” said co-researcher Francis Atsu. “This process is laying the groundwork for practical, inclusive, and effective carbon market strategies.”
With African nations increasingly looking to leverage carbon markets for sustainable development, the project’s inclusive, evidence-driven approach ensures that strategies remain grounded in national priorities and stakeholder realities.
The workshop took place on 30 June at ISSER, University of Ghana.
By Vicentia Quartey