Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Kwaku Afriyie, has advocated for a new approach to farming and agriculture in general to help raise food production and alleviate West Africa’s glaring food insecurity.
Dr. Afriyie believes that more collaboration between the public and commercial sectors, particularly universities and research institutions, is vital to building an environment that fosters innovation and empowers farmers to achieve agricultural greatness.
He stated that securing food security in the whole subregion, including Ghana, remained a critical concern that demanded immediate attention and coordinated efforts from all parties.
Fostering collaborations, sharing knowledge, and supporting technology transfer, he says, are critical to ensuring farmers have access to the tools and skills they need to prosper.
“The role of science and technology in advancing agricultural production cannot be overemphasised.
We must leverage the power of scientific discoveries to help our farmers produce more while losing less, boost productivity, and improve livelihoods.
Dr. Afriyie made the announcement at the 34th ordinary session of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) Board of Directors meeting, which was sponsored by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana last Tuesday in Accra.
Minister of Environment, science, technology, and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, has urged African leaders to take responsibility for their own development and to stop putting too much reliance on the West for solutions.
According to him, Ghana has been able to solve some critical health problems in the past and has demonstrated a sense of ability and innovation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Economic Summit, Dr Afriyie cited several examples of Ghana’s track record in solving issues including the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said “If we can perform very well in the health system, we’ve managed to abolish so many diseases, and guinea worms, among others. We have reduced it and we have formed a program called the expanded program of Immunization I am a product of that programme. And so, I’ve seen how we’ve co-operated together to make this happen.
“So, in the economic realm too, we can do the same. I’m saying that we should not use Western standards to define things and make things difficult for us as if we are perpetually at the bottom of the heap. Because there are so many things that are going on for us that they do not have and we can bring it into the conversation and say that Africa is also here. I’m not romanticizing poverty but we can grow at our own pace and get our own development out of that,” he added.
The Africa Economic Summit has been instituted to bring forward new perspectives and stimulate strategic discussions around Africa’s economic challenges and policy priorities.
Heads of State, Ministers, Law Makers, Governors, Heads of Financial Institutions, CEOs of Leading Companies in Africa, and other stakeholders will gather for a two-day candid discussion and high-level networking to provide strategic guidelines on the competitiveness of African nations.
Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has expressed concerns over the alarming rate of pollution, especially with the country’s water bodies.
According to hum, nineper cent of the 0.84 million metric tonnes of plastic waste generated in Ghana annually, leak into the ocean.
He said the plastic waste recovery rate for flexibles (pure water waste) was 73 per cent, while that of the high density polyethylene (rigid/furniture) was 79 per cent, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was 10.3 per cent.
Additionally, the plastic waste recovery for shopping bags and low micron bags were 0.00 per cent and 0.001 per cent, respectively, he said, citing statistics from the Ghana Plastics Manufacturers’ Association.
Dr. Afriyie made this known in a speech read on his behalf, in Accra, at the inception workshop of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Project dubbed, ‘Establishing a Circular Economy Framework for the Plastics Sector in Ghana.’
According to the Minister, applying the principles and practices of circularity throughout the full life cycle of the plastics value chain represented the safest way to manage the plastic menace.
This is in respect of its design and production, through its consumption, disposal and to its processing into secondary materials for circular production.
The GEF-funded project has the objective of strengthening the national capacity of Ghana to transition to a circular economy within a framework that addresses plastic leakage into the country’s oceans and waterways.
It is also to facilitate sustainable plastic management through operationalising the National Plastic Management Policy (NPMP) and National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), and ultimately end marine plastic pollution.
Dr. Afriyie said the Ministry was working in partnership with stakeholders to advance the NPAP National Action Roadmap – a locally-designed ambitious plan that provided a clear set of actions for Ghana to achieve zero plastic leakage into oceans and waterways by 2040.
The intention was to brainstorm and apply technology to address plastic pollution, waste management and efficient resource utilisation.
Mr. Oliver Boachie, Special Advisor to the Ministry, giving a presentation of the draft annual work plan and budget for 2023 in respect of the Project, said some of the expected outcomes of the initiative were to avoid the emission of persistent organic pollutants and create 746 direct jobs and 9, 864 indirect jobs.
Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, John Nkaw, has urged wealthy polluter nations to shoulder financial responsibility for the harm that climate change
causes to the most vulnerable and underdeveloped nations.
Addressing attendees at the National Climate Change Seminar in Accra, Mr Nkaw stated that the startling shifts in the climate are
having a toll on scores of farmers in vulnerable nations like Ghana, thus the need for developed countries to support vulnerable countries.
“These sad realities demand our collective action to prevent a further increase in the wealth gap. We must continue our campaign for the establishment of an
international financing facility to help vulnerable countries recover and rebuild in the aftermath of climate disasters,” he indicated.
However, he added that regular and diverse climate change research is critical to improving stakeholders’ understanding of adaptation. Engaging in such research, he said, will also influence private and public activities to attract investors to vulnerable communities.
“The net effect of ongoing climate change is affecting agricultural production. These changes have impacted negatively on people
already living in poverty, who have become vulnerable to prolonged droughts, floods among other climate-induced impacts,” he added.
The seminar helped to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on farm households, facilitate interaction with government agencies, and publish research findings on Ghana’s climate change situation.
Climate change, which impacts both developed and developing countries, remains one of the world’s greatest threats. Despite contributing the least
to existing global climate action interventions, Africa is one of the continents most vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
According to the most recent study from the UN’s climate panel, the harmful effects of climate change are intensifying faster than scientists predicted less than ten years ago.
It stated that while many effects are unavoidable and will disproportionately affect the world’s most vulnerable populations, governments working together to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and prepare communities for climate change could still prevent the worst outcomes.
According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the impact of climate change on agriculture and the environment was estimated at US$6.3 billion in 2017.
The African Development Bank has disclosed that the continent will require approximately $3trillion for climate adaptation programs by 2030 in order for
African economies to enact national commitments.
On the other hand, the World Bank report on Ghana’s climate risk profile predicts that the country’s average temperature will rise by 1°C to 3°C by mid-century and 2.3°C to 5.3°C by the end of the century.
It added that the country’s northern and inland areas are likely to be warm on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the World Bank has offered Ghana a $3 million grant to shield local communities from the impacts of climate change.
This was announced by President Akufo-Addo when giving a speech at Ghana’s pavilion at the ongoing 27th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27), on Wednesday, November 10, 2022.
People present at the conference were Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor; Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, other state officials and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Kwaku Afriyie.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, Mrs Cynthia Asare Bediako, has clarified that the government is not footing the travel bills of the 350 delegates attending the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt.
According to Mrs Cynthia Asare Bediako, per reports from a state media house, development partners funded the majority of the delegation, which consisted of state and non-state actors.
She said “their funding is sourced from different agencies, including the Global Environment Facility- UNFCCC, World Bank, the Climate Vulnerability Forum, UNDP, and UNICEF,” while adding that “these agencies also sponsor some government of Ghana officials to participate in the conference.”
The Chief Director, however, noted that “delegates travelling on the government’s ticket are not many.”
Mrs Cynthia Asare Bediako explained that this is so because it is the responsibility of MESTI to coordinate and register persons attending the annual meeting.
At the Pre-COP Press Conference on November 3, 2022, the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, revealed that 150 government staff members would attend the COP27.
President Akufo-Addo left Ghana on Saturday, November 5, 2022, to lead Ghana’s delegation to the World Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations COP 27.
He was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.
The COP 27 Summit, which is one of the largest gatherings of world leaders, brought parties together to accelerate actions towards the goals of the Paris Agreement of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In his submission, President Akufo-Addo assured the global community of Ghana’s full commitment to increasing the country’s share of renewable energy in the energy mix.
“Ghana’s position on energy transition is to continue the responsible exploitation of our natural resources for our development and transition at our own pace. The Government of Ghana is mindful of the actions of the developed countries in relation to energy transition, and their effect on us,” the President added.
The summit, which began on November 6, was brought to a successful end on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
The President will return to Ghana on Friday, November 11, 2022, after he chairs the High Level UN Security Council debate convened by Ghana, on November 10, 2022, as part of the programme of work for Ghana’s Presidency of the Council for the month of November.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead Ghana’s delegation of climate negotiators to this year’s 27th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 27) in Egypt.
COP 27, scheduled for November 7 to 18, would be hosted in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, and will provide the platform for climate activists and negotiators to discuss, propose actions and make decisions towards facilitating the implementation of the various Articles of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
At a Pre-COP media briefing organised by Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Accra, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, sector Minister, said Ghana’s team was ready to present the real needs of the African people at the conference.
“Ghana will participate actively at the negotiations, and the Presidency implementation summit and also host a number of events at the Ghana Pavilion.
“We will launch the Article six framework and sign some additional bilateral agreements with Sweden and Singapore. Other sectors will host events relating to their mandate, i.e., energy, forestry, transport, finance etc,” Dr Afriyie stated.
He said Ghana, which host the Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), would also demand as a moral right, funds from the developed world to address issues of loss and damage being experienced by Africa due to greenhouse emissions from the big polluters.
He said the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change report released in February this year, projected the likelihood of some 118 million vulnerable people in Africa being affected by the impact of climate change by the year 2030 if nothing is done to curb climate issues.
“With regard to loss and damage, Ghana recognises the impact of loss and damage on women, youth, children and other vulnerable groups and calls for the integration of these groups.
“Finance for loss and damage is key…We expect delivery of new climate finance under the New Collective Quantifies Goal on climate Finance… We will follow up with our CVF colleagues and push to ensure that is achieved.”
Meanwhile, altogether, 322 Ghanaian activists from both state and non-state institutions have registered on the government’s portal to attend and participate in COP27.
Dr Afriyie explained that of the total, participants from government institutions account for 226, while those from non-state actors are 72 and those belonging to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) are 24.
“Half of the number on the government platform are NGOs and partner institutions who decided to go through some institutions to be registered.
Therefore, the actual government staff attending the COP is about 150…People attending this will be participating in diverse programming including negotiations, workshops, side events and bilateral meetings. Sponsorships is also form diverse sources.”
Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Accra, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, confirmed to pressmen last week that Ghana will be sending a delegation of over 320 persons to the ongoing 27th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 27) in Egypt.
He explained that out of a total of 322 people attending, attendees are pooled from both state and non-state institutions having duly registered on the government’s portal to attend and participate in COP27.
Dr Afriyie, according to a Ghana News Agency, GNA; report explained that of the total, participants from government institutions account for 226, while those from non-state actors are 72 and those belonging to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) are 24.
“Half of the number on the government platform are NGOs and partner institutions who decided to go through some institutions to be registered,” he clarified.
“Therefore, the actual government staff attending the COP is about 150…People attending this will be participating in diverse programming including negotiations, workshops, side events and bilateral meetings. Sponsorships is also form diverse sources,” he stressed.
2021 edition attracts public scrutiny
There was a huge public outcry when it emerged that Ghana sent over 330 delegates to the COP 26, which took place between 31st October and November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland.
A provisional list published on the website of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change indicated that Ghana’s contingent was led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Some sector ministers who made the trip included Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Land and Natural Resources and Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy.
The list also includes representatives from Parliament, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the President, the media, among others.
It was later explained that not all persons registered under Ghana traveled on state largess and that the presidential team was much smaller.
Akufo-Addo leads COP 27 delegation
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo arrived in Egypt on Sunday as leader of Ghana’s delegation of climate negotiators to COP 27.
COP 27, scheduled for November 7 to 18, is being hosted in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh.
It will provide the platform for climate activists and negotiators to discuss, propose actions and make decisions towards facilitating the implementation of the various Articles of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
At a Pre-COP media briefing organised by Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Accra, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, sector Minister, said Ghana’s team was ready to present the real needs of the African people at the conference.
“Ghana will participate actively at the negotiations, and the Presidency implementation summit and also host a number of events at the Ghana Pavilion.
“We will launch the Article six framework and sign some additional bilateral agreements with Sweden and Singapore. Other sectors will host events relating to their mandate, i.e., energy, forestry, transport, finance etc,” Dr Afriyie stated.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead Ghana’s delegation of climate negotiators to this year’s 27th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP27) in Egypt.
COP27, scheduled for 7 to 18 November, would be hosted in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh and will provide the platform for climate activists and negotiators to discuss, propose actions and make decisions towards facilitating the implementation of the various Articles of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
At a pre-COP media briefing organised by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Accra, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the sector minister, said Ghana’s team was ready to present the real needs of the African people at the conference.
“Ghana will participate actively at the negotiations, and the Presidency implementation summit and also host a number of events at the Ghana Pavilion.
“We will launch the Article six framework and sign some additional bilateral agreements with Sweden and Singapore. Other sectors will host events relating to their mandate, i.e., energy, forestry, transport, finance etc,” Dr Afriyie said.
He said Ghana, which host the Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), would also demand as a moral right, funds from the developed world to address issues of loss and damage being experienced by Africa due to greenhouse emissions from the big polluters.
He argued that Africa, which continues to feel the highest impact of the climate change phenomenon but contributes just less than 5% of such emissions needed to be helped to mitigate and adapt to such impacts.
The minister said the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change report released in February this year, projected the likelihood of some 118 million vulnerable people in Africa being affected by the impact of climate change by the year 2030 if nothing is done to curb climate issues.
“With regard to loss and damage, Ghana recognises the impact of loss and damage on women, youth, children and other vulnerable groups and calls for the integration of these groups.
“Finance for loss and damage is key…We expect delivery of new climate finance under the New Collective Quantifies Goal on climate Finance… We will follow up with our CVF colleagues and push to ensure that is achieved.”
Meanwhile, altogether, 322 Ghanaian activists from both state and non-state institutions have registered on the government’s portal to attend and participate in COP27.
Dr Afriyie explained that of the total, participants from government institutions account for 226, while those from non-state actors are 72 and those belonging to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) 24.
“Half of the number on the government platform are NGOs and partner institutions who decided to go through some institutions to be registered.
“Therefore, the actual government staff attending the COP is about 150…People attending this will be participating in diverse programming including negotiations, workshops, side events and bilateral meetings. Sponsorships are also from diverse sources.”
The Board chaired by Professor Aba A. Bentil Andam, has other members as Colonel Tim Ba-Taa-Banah, Professor Isabella A. Quakyi, Mr Daniel A. N. N. Adumuah, Mr Ebenezer Appah-Sampong, Professor Edward H. K. Akaho and Dr Nii K. Allotey.
With the declaration by President Akufo-Addo on Ghana’s inclusion of Nuclear Technology in its Power Generation Mix, Dr Afriyie said it behoved the Board to initiate pragmatic policies and actions to best prepare the Authority to effectively deliver on its mandate for Ghana’s nuclear power programme.
He admonished the Board to ensure that its inputs led to proper management of the Authority’s resources while seeing to it that the Authority was abreast of all emerging new technologies.
“I urge you to be passionate about this duty, and bring your years of experience, expertise and excellence which all of you are noted for to bear on the task ahead. Above all, take your mandate as a sacred calling for which posterity would applaud your memory,” he said.
Dr Afriyie told the Board to bear in mind their new role at a time when there were global uncertainties traversing from economic instability, climate uncertainties, energy crisis, and potential food shortage, insecurity as a result of insurrections in the West Africa sub-region and a myriad of other minor issues which in a large measure affected Ghana.
“Nonetheless, we have confidence in the undaunting/unwavering spirit of the Ghanaian to surmount and overcome challenges no matter how dire they may appear,” he said.
The Minister said the government had taken due cognisance that Board members possessed excellent academic credentials, pursued successful professional careers and were individuals with unblemished integrity.
“Undoubtedly, these great heights and feats achieved were gotten through dint of hard work, fortitude and determination,” he added.
Prof. Andam said the task to make the NRA one of the best, most efficient and most effective regulatory bodies, equipped to deliver in the 21st-century fast-growing technological environment had only just started.
The challenges, she said, were great but the potential for meeting them existed, hence success was attainable.
“It is our solemn pledge that we will commit and devote ourselves to the task ahead, initiate policies and see to their quick implementation, and ensure good governance in the NRA for which it is known.
“I can attest to the fact that Members of this Board are known for their lives of service and commitment to the nation. This gives me the confidence that history will show that in our day(s) we met the demands which our time(s) required of us.” Prof. Andam said.
Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, has inaugurated a seven-member Governing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) to initiate policies and actions for effective mandate delivery.
The Board chaired by Professor Aba A. Bentil Andam, has other members as Colonel Tim Ba-Taa-Banah, Professor Isabella A. Quakyi, Mr Daniel A. N. N. Adumuah, Mr Ebenezer Appah-Sampong, Professor Edward H. K. Akaho and Dr Nii K. Allotey.
With the declaration by President Akufo-Addo on Ghana’s inclusion of Nuclear Technology in its Power Generation Mix, Dr Afriyie said it behoved the Board to initiate pragmatic policies and actions to best prepare the Authority to effectively deliver on its mandate for Ghana’s nuclear power programme.
He admonished the Board to ensure that its inputs led to proper management of the Authority’s resources while seeing to it that the Authority was abreast of all emerging new technologies.
“I urge you to be passionate about this duty, and bring your years of experience, expertise and excellence which all of you are noted for to bear on the task ahead. Above all, take your mandate as a sacred calling for which posterity would applaud your memory,” he said.
Dr Afriyie told the Board to bear in mind their new role at a time when there were global uncertainties traversing from economic instability, climate uncertainties, energy crisis, and potential food shortage, insecurity as a result of insurrections in the West Africa sub-region and a myriad of other minor issues which in a large measure affected Ghana.
“Nonetheless, we have confidence in the undaunting/unwavering spirit of the Ghanaian to surmount and overcome challenges no matter how dire they may appear,” he said.
The Minister said the government had taken due cognisance that Board members possessed excellent academic credentials, pursued successful professional careers and were individuals with unblemished integrity.
“Undoubtedly, these great heights and feats achieved were gotten through dint of hard work, fortitude and determination,” he added.
Prof. Andam said the task to make the NRA one of the best, most efficient and most effective regulatory bodies, equipped to deliver in the 21st-century fast-growing technological environment had only just started.
The challenges, she said, were great but the potential for meeting them existed, hence success was attainable.
“It is our solemn pledge that we will commit and devote ourselves to the task ahead, initiate policies and see to their quick implementation, and ensure good governance in the NRA for which it is known.
“I can attest to the fact that Members of this Board are known for their lives of service and commitment to the nation. This gives me the confidence that history will show that in our day(s) we met the demands which our time(s) required of us.” Prof. Andam said.
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), has directed the Nuclear Regulatory Authority’s (NRA) new board to step up efforts to incorporate nuclear power into the nation’s energy mix.
He claimed that in order to get the Authority ready to properly carry out its mandate in the country’s nuclear power program, the committee was required to start pragmatist policies and actions.
Inaugurating the board in Accra, he also tasked the board to ensure that nuclear devices for medical and agriculture purposes that would come into the country were well regulated.
The seven-member board which is the third for the NRA is chaired by Professor Aba A. BentilAndam, a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences with members including Professor Isabella A. Quakyi also from the Academy.
Others are Colonel Tim Ba-Taa-Banah, National Security Ministry; Daniel Adumuah, Adentan Municipal Chief Executive; Ebenezer Appah-Sampong, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr Nii K. Allotey, NRA and Prof. Edward Akaho, Former Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
After many years of preparations, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, last month, approved the inclusion of nuclear power into the country’s power generation mix, indicating readiness to go nuclear.
The announcement of the government’s approval, called the National Position, is one of the key 19 infrastructure issues under phase one of the programme, a guideline set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“The board is a requirement in international circles because if it does not exist we would not have the IAEA permission to proceed and that would be against international law, so this board is very important,” said Dr Afriyie.
He said the country, having completed the first phase, had initiated the second phase with a call for expression of interest from vendors and identification of sites for the project.
“Your inputs should ensure the proper management of the resources of the Authority, and also ensure that the Authority is abreast with all emerging new technologies.
“I urge you to be passionate about this duty, bring your years of experience, expertise and excellence which all of you are noted for, to bear on the task ahead. Above all, take your mandate as a “sacred calling” for which posterity would applaud your memory,” he said.
Prof. Andam thanked and assured the president that the board would be committed to the task ahead, initiate policies and see their quick implementation, and ensure good governance in the NRA.
“I can attest to the fact that members of this board are known for their lives of service and commitment to the nation. This gives me the confidence that history will show that in our day we met the demands which our time requires of us,” she said.
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation is calling for urgent collaboration with stakeholders to find innovative solutions to multiple challenges towards building resilient economies, fast food, water systems and ensuring the sustainable management of forest resources and biodiversity.
Sector minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, believes that society has to turn to better science to rectify the human ingenuity that has worsened the environmental challenges the world faces.
Dr. Kwaku Afriyie made these comments at the media launch of the 2022 GEO week celebrations in Accra under the theme: Global Action for Local Impact.
Although admitting that Africa is adversely affected by the impact of climate change, he reassured of government’s commitment to harness space technologies and services, including Earth observations, to drive policies and decisions to attain the agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“As the GEO principal for Ghana, I see this as an important opportunity, as we also kick-start our implementation of the National Space Science Policy.”
“We are reminded of the urgency to work together to find innovative solutions to the multiple challenges toward building resilient economies, fast food, and water systems and ensuring the sustainable management of forest resources and biodiversity.”
“To some extent, human ingenuity and science have caused the environmental challenges we face today. But we can also turn to science to find solutions.”
“Ghana has been active in GEO activities, such as Digital Earth Africa. We value GEO’s convening power and the services its initiatives provide. So, I look forward to the discussions on how we can collectively address global challenges.”
Commenting on the upcoming meeting, slated for October 31 – November 4, Director of the GEO Secretariat, Yana Gevorgyan said: “With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and environmental and societal challenges multiplying, accurate and trusted environmental intelligence is more important than ever.”
“The GEO community has made great strides in responding to this demand-opening for access to data and convening partnerships that provide evidence for better decisions.”
“But despite these advances, many countries still do not have access to the right information, at the right time and in the right format. As we meet in Ghana, we must consider new ways of thinking and partnering, to accelerate global action for local impact”.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) Dr Kwaku Afriyie has said it will be very difficult to ban the use of plastics in the countryimmediately.
According to Dr Afriyie, the current state of plastics management in the country requires an intense public campaign to engage citizens, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to cultivate a positive attitude toward the fight against plastic pollution.
He said this yesterday in Accra, when Ghana joined the world to commemorate the World Environment Day 2022, which was held under the global theme “Only one earth,” with Ghana adopting the slogan, “Only One Earth”, Beat Plastic Pollution”.
The United Nations, during the Stockholm Conference in 1972, proclaimed June as the World Environment Day to highlight and create regular public awareness and education on emerging environmental issues.
The day will also serve as a platform to engage people, communities, and governments worldwide and stimulate actions on critical environmental challenges facing the planet.
According to Dr Afriyie, Ghana’s major problem was the collection of single-use plastics, also known as the under 20 microns plastics, and their improper disposal.
He said over 30,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated every day, with only 14 per cent collected, 38 per cent dumped in open spaces, and 9 per cent dumped indiscriminately.
Dr Afriyie said plastic wastes were becoming a major socio-economic developmental and environmental challenge that gravely impacts biodiversity, tourism, infrastructure, fisheries, lands, and livelihoods.
“As a result of this situation, landscapes are immensely littered with plastic waste, including nose masks, grocery store plastic bags, disposable plastic cups and takeout containers, while beaches and oceans are equally polluted, chemical uptake in both plants and animals due to indiscriminate disposal methods,” he said.
He said to ensure Ghana wins the fight against plastic pollution, the ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholder institutions and its private sector partners, would delineate the country into grades for proper collection, storage and recycling of plastics.
He also mentioned that it would assign public and private collectors to collect and store plastic waste and implement a grid system to monitor the collection and storing of the plastics.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, said taking action on plastic waste was the only option to improve the country’s waste management issues.
He came out with solutions to address the plastic menace and made a call for action by all stakeholders in the plastic main value chain to reduce the use of plastic materials, especially single-use plastics.
Dr Kokofu called for the use of re-usable plastic materials to reduce the plastic waste load in the environment, recover plastic waste for value addition and educate households on waste segregation for recycling.
“We have to punish those who litter the environment with waste, especially plastic waste, stop open burning of plastic waste which releases toxic chemicals into the environment and reuse them for other purposes,” he added.
