The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga says the nation’s poverty reduction strategy implementation will be an exercise in futility if climate change is not tackled head-on.
He decried the impact of global warming on food security especially in Northern Ghana where poverty is endemic and thus called for combined efforts to combat the phenomenon.
Mahama Ayariga was sensitizing members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs on the implementation of Ghana’s contribution to the global climate change agreement recently signed in Paris.
According to him, Ghana’s commitment to combating global warming is non-negotiable, hence the role of traditional rulers is paramount.
The Bawku central Member of Parliament implored the traditional rulers to lead the crusade in addressing climate change.
“Let’s come together and work towards reducing the temperature of the earth to at least 1.5 degree Celsius.”
He emphasized the need for the traditional rulers to discourage the wanton clearing of trees for commercial agriculture.
“Protection of the land is a collective responsibility and I urge you our revered chiefs as custodians of the land to protect it for future use. I entreat you to also promote trees planting in your communities.”
He reiterated government’s commitment to partner with the traditional authorities to mitigate the magnitude of climate change affecting livelihood.
“Government will continue to liaise with traditional rulers, queen mothers and all relevant stakeholders to reduce gas emissions to an appreciable Celsius.”
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation urged nucleus and smallholder farmers to substitute chemical fertilizer application with the use of compost on their farmlands.
Northern Regional Minister, Abdullah Abubakari lauded the concept of regional road shows on climate change and called on the traditional rulers to subscribe to its dictates.
He cited drought, perennial floods, land degradation and erratic rainfall as some of the harmful effects of climate change affecting food security in the region.
Abdullah Abubakari tasked the traditional rulers to prioritize the fight against climate change by saying ‘No’ to bushfires, illegal trees cutting, water pollution and desertification.
“Play a lead role in addressing climate change by paying attention to land preservation.”
Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Ghana in 2015 signed two multilateral agreements comprising Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Daniel Amlalo said the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in conjunction with the EPA facilitated Ghana’s adoption and signing of the two agreements.
“This calls for an inclusive approach. We need all on board to deliver on the two agreements. MDAs, MMDAs, traditional authorities, women and children must be part of this process,” Daniel Amlalo stressed.
“EPA will continue to provide the necessary technical support to all as we have been doing as part of our mandate.”
President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, Nayiri Naa-Bahigu Mahami Sheriga admitted that the impact of climate change on human survival could not be underestimated.
He thereby admonished members of the house to be instrumental in government’s agenda towards combating climate change.
The nationwide climate change regional road show has so far hit the three regions of the north.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana