The Member of Parliament for Berekum West Constituency and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, Mr Dickson Kyere-Duah, has called for urgent national action to reduce methane emissions as part of Ghana’s broader efforts to combat climate change.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Class Media Group’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Gordon Desmond Sackitey, following a statement he delivered on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Kyere-Duah stressed that tackling methane emissions could produce rapid and significant climate benefits.

According to him, methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming, noting that over a 20-year period it has a warming effect about 80 times greater than carbon dioxide.

He explained, however, that unlike carbon dioxide, methane remains in the atmosphere for a relatively short period of about 10 to 12 years, making immediate mitigation efforts particularly effective in slowing global warming.

“This means that if we act decisively now to reduce methane emissions, the impact on climate change mitigation can be seen much sooner,” he said.

Mr. Kyere-Duah emphasised that addressing methane emissions does not necessarily require extremely complex or costly interventions.

He pointed to practical measures such as adopting modern agricultural practices, improving livestock management and strengthening waste management systems as effective ways of reducing methane release into the atmosphere.

He added that the cost of implementing methane mitigation strategies is comparatively low, making it a practical and achievable step for countries like Ghana in the global fight against climate change.

The Berekum West legislator further disclosed that Ghana’s Parliament has already taken steps to raise awareness about methane emissions through workshops and capacity-building initiatives for lawmakers and stakeholders.

These engagements, he said, were designed to equip policymakers with the knowledge required to understand the science of methane emissions and the role they play in accelerating climate change.

Mr. Kyere-Duah noted that while awareness has improved, the time has come for Ghana to move beyond discussions and begin implementing concrete measures that will reduce methane emissions across key sectors of the economy.

He also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, environmental institutions, the private sector and local communities to ensure a coordinated national response.

According to him, collective action will be critical in achieving meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the environment and safeguarding livelihoods.

Mr. Kyere-Duah reiterated Ghana’s commitment to global climate goals and urged policymakers to broaden the national climate strategy by placing greater emphasis on methane mitigation alongside efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

He concluded that decisive action on methane could serve as a powerful and immediate tool in Ghana’s fight against climate change.