Ghana could be fined by the international community if it fails to ban the importation and use of second hand refrigerators. This was disclosed by Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkora in an interview with Joy News. The Commission early on Thursday announced the ban on the importation of second hand refrigerators which takes effect in December 2012. The ban, he said, is in compliance with the directive from the international community. “The whole world has banned the use of chlorofluorocarbons as a refrigerant. It took effect from January 1 this year and countries that do not comply could be fined by the international community,” he said, adding, Ghana is signatory to the Montreal protocol which sanctioned the ban. Dr. Ahenkora explained that the second hand refrigerators imported into the country have an energy component which is not conducive to the tropics, arguing, users of such refrigerators pay three times more in electricity consumption than others in other countries who use the newly efficient refrigerant. The Energy Commission after the ban in 2012 will gradually begin to phase out the use of second hand refrigerators in the country. The move is in fulfillment of the Energy Commission’s regulations and will be jointly enforced by other stakeholders including the Ministries of Environment and Science, Trade and Industry as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. The policy should have taken effect from June 2010 but Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkora said the two year moratorium is to ensure smooth transition. Concerns have been raised about the cost burden the new policy will impose on users of the new refrigerators but Dr. Ahenkora said the policy is looking to cushion consumers who will make the switch. He said there will be a rebate scheme to be financed from carbon credits and other sources. Meanwhile, the Ghana Association of Importers and Sellers of Used Refrigerators is appealing to government and other allied bodies to facilitate the setting up of a refrigeration Assembly Plant in the country. Secretary of the Association, Alex Oppong Antwi told Joy News the plant will mitigate the precarious effect the ban will have on the business of second hand refrigerators in the country. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the interviews Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana