Vice President Pushes for Stronger Climate Diplomacy and Access to Global Climate Financing
The Vice President of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has pushed for international climate negotiations and access to global climate financing.
She said although Africa contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent continues to suffer some of the worst effects of climate change.
The Vice President made the call during a visit to the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) on Monday.
She said the increasing impact of climate change across Africa has made it necessary for Ghana to maintain a strong voice in international climate discussions while taking advantage of opportunities to secure climate financing.
She noted that effective governance goes beyond policy formulation and requires proper implementation, monitoring and evaluation to ensure that public policies improve the lives of citizens.
The Vice President also spoke about the recent flooding in parts of the country, saying enforcement of environmental laws should be supported by continuous public education to promote responsible behaviour and compliance.
She said science influences every aspect of national development and stressed the need to educate the public on environmental issues.
She received a briefing from the Acting Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and the Ministry’s management on its programmes, achievements and challenges.
During the briefing, the Ministry highlighted progress in implementing the Circular Economy Policy on plastics, promoting green jobs and clean cooking technologies, improving electronic waste management, advancing climate-smart agricultural research, strengthening environmental regulation and pursuing the establishment of a Ghana Space Agency.
The Ministry also outlined efforts to commercialise scientific research through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. It identified inadequate funding, shortages of scientific personnel, ageing laboratory infrastructure and the need for stronger environmental laws as some of the challenges affecting its work.
Professor Opoku Agyemang encouraged closer collaboration between MEST and other government institutions to support local manufacturing, create jobs, commercialise research and advance the government’s industrialisation agenda.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting public lands from encroachment and supporting the Ministry’s efforts to use science, technology and innovation to promote national development.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
