The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng says his outfit is seeking to attract over 2billion dollars to fight climate issues in Ghana. This the minister says will be done through innovative policies, programes and projects.
Ghana has been confronted with serious and complex environmental challenges, despite various interventions by various ministries and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These challenges include sea erosion, landslides and deforestation among others.
To help combat these challenges that are mostly occasioned by climate change, Ghana is hosting the 2019 Africa Climate Week slated to take place from the 18th to 22nd of March at the Accra International Conference Centre.
While speaking at the media launch of the event to brief stakeholders on expectations ahead of the week-long program, Acting Executive Director at the EPA, John Pwamang said his outfit is determined to transform climate conditions in the country, hence their participation in the workshop.
Program Analyst at the UNDP, Stephen Kansuk also says his organization will help the country tackle climate change issues to develop the nation.
“If we are not able to address or tackle climate change issues, we are not likely to achieve the sustainable development goals as we know. So it is important that as part of the process of developing the country, UNDP has been part together with other development agencies and organisations to see how we can implement Ghana’s National determining contributions. UNDP has been part of the process right from the time the government of Ghana developed the intended National determining contributions.” He said.
“The plan seeks to mobilise over 2.6billion dollars to be able to implement all the actions that have been identified and outlined in the national determining contribution. But as part of the process UNDP is supporting the government of Ghana is organizing an investment forum to see how we can mobilise private sector resources to help Ghana attain its climate goal”, he added.
Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng mentioned that his ministry is targeting over 2billion dollars from the one- week long program to tackle climate problems in the country. He believes this will go a long way to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We need a lot to address this issue but if we consider, last year when Kenya hosted theirs they were able to attract about two million dollars so we hope that we will be able to do more”, the minister stated.
The Africa Climate Week is on the theme “Climate Action in Africa: a Race we can win”.
The event is being organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and seeks to bring diverse actors from the public and private sectors. Over 1,000 participants across Africa and the world are expected to participate with great focus on six transformational areas including Energy Transition, Nature-Based Solutions, Cities and Local Action, Climate Action and Carbon pricing and Reducing Emissions from Industry and Building Resilience.
Also programmed for the event is an exhibition that will see all institutions and companies showcase their works to drive home climate solutions through innovative policies, programmes and projects.
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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana.