The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has criticized the government’s failure to address the environmental degradation facing the country, attributing it to poor policies and inactions on the part of political leaders in Ghana.
Madam Serwaa highlighted the critical need for immediate and decisive steps to address the ongoing environmental degradation.
Her passionate advocacy focused on the importance of not just addressing the symptoms of environmental issues but tackling the root causes to ensure sustainability for future generations.
She criticized the current approach taken by authorities and various stakeholders, who, in her view, focus more on the positive aspects of addressing the environment without confronting the underlying problems.
Madam Serwaa emphasized that the conversation should not just revolve around superficial topics like family, safety plans, or general positivity, but rather, it should focus on concrete actions to prevent environmental collapse.
She quoted Dr. Chen, an environmental expert, whose advice she strongly supports, saying “The first thing we need to do is, as Doctor Chen advised, ‘declare a state of emergency’”.
For Madam Serwaa, this call to action represents the urgency of the situation, as environmental degradation poses a major threat to human survival.
Declaring a State of Emergency and Repealing Policies
A critical part of Madam Serwaa’s statement was her call for a state of emergency concerning environmental failure.
According to Madam Serwaa the current environmental degradation is so severe that Ghana should consider this issue as urgent as any other national crisis. She also advocated for the repeal of policies in at least four cities that allow for mining in forest reserves.
Madam Serwaa elaborated on the issue by stating: “It’s impossible to continue to develop policies that allow mining in forest reserves.”
Madam Serwaa noted that globally, this practice has been recognized as unsustainable and damaging to the environment.
She expressed frustration with the continuation of these policies, arguing that their impact on the country’s ecosystems has been disastrous.
The Role of Monitoring and Enforcement
One of the central points of Madam Serwaa statement was the issue of monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations. She stressed that the inability to enforce existing environmental laws was a major stumbling block to environmental preservation.
“For us, the main problem is monitoring and enforcement we are allergic to enforcement”, she emphasized.
In her view, the failure to effectively monitor and enforce environmental laws can be attributed to widespread corruption within regulatory bodies.
She raised concerns about the involvement of individuals within these organizations who are supposed to be ensuring compliance but are instead complicit in breaking the very laws they are charged with upholding.
“I keep on saying that the firefighters are the athletes, and therefore we have a salary. So as long as things remain this way, we need to pause community mining until we get our act together.”
This vivid analogy pointed to the conflict of interest that exists within the regulatory system, where those tasked with preventing environmental damage are themselves benefitting from activities that harm the environment.
A Call for a Comprehensive Policy Review
The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Madam Awula Serwaa, in her fervent call to action, stressed the need for a comprehensive review of policies related to environmental management.
She argued that existing policies are flawed and, without proper oversight, they only serve to exacerbate the current environmental crisis.
She emphasized that environmental policies should be centered around sustainability, long-term resource management, and a deep commitment to preserving Ghana’s natural heritage for future generations.
“We cannot continue in a certain form and for us, the main problem is monitoring and enforcement.”
According to Madam Serwaa, unless this issue is addressed, any efforts to curb environmental degradation will be in vain. The failure to act now, she warned, would have devastating consequences for both the environment and the people who rely on it for their livelihoods.
The Fight Against Environmental Failure
Madam Serwaa was clear that the fight is not merely against environmental threats but against the systemic failures that allow such threats to persist.
“We are fighting environmental failure, and therefore, we need to have a state of emergency.”
This sense of urgency, according to Madam Serwaa should drive the government and all stakeholders to take immediate and bold actions.
She reiterated that environmental preservation should not just be an afterthought but a top priority.
Only by addressing the underlying issues of policy failure, corruption, and lack of enforcement can the country hope to make progress in its fight against environmental degradation.
A Call for Sustainable Development
Madam Serwaa also noted that the call for better environmental management and enforcement is not just about protecting nature for its own sake but about ensuring that Ghana’s development is sustainable.
She argued that allowing harmful activities such as mining in forest reserves is not compatible with long-term development goals.
Madam Serwaa remarked underscoring that her call for reform was not against development per se but against development that compromises the environment.
Serwa’s ultimate vision is for Ghana to adopt environmentally sound development practices and that benefit all citizens, especially those whose livelihoods depend on natural resources.
Awula Serwa’s impassioned statement as the Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to reconsider the country’s approach to environmental issues.
Madam Serwaa’s call for a state of emergency, policy reform, and stronger enforcement highlights the need for urgent action to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.
The current trajectory, as she warned, is unsustainable, and only through decisive and bold action can the country hope to overcome the challenges of environmental degradation.
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