Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, has emphasized that the upcoming 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), offers a distinctive and unprecedented opportunity for the country to showcase its impactful and meaningful contributions to the global fight against the adverse effects of climate change.
Addressing attendees at the pre-COP 28 event, Mr Jinapor expressed the nation’s preparedness for the conference. He underscored the vital role and platform that COP28 provides, which allows the country to amplify its commitment and efforts in combating climate change.
“This year’s Conference is unique, and its importance cannot be overemphasized. Article 14 of the landmark Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, provides for a Global Stocktake to, periodically, take stock of the implementation of the Agreement to assess progress towards achieving its objectives, and COP28 will serve as the first Global Stocktake since the adoption of the Agreement.”
Samuel Jinapor
Furthermore, Mr Jinapor revealed that this year’s Conference presents a “unique opportunity for Ghana to review the effectiveness of its “adaptation and mitigation measures, climate financing, and our country’s Nationally Determined Contributions, with the aim of updating such Nationally Determined Contributions”.
After taking stock of the key activities and benefits Ghana derived from previous sessions, the lands minister announced a packed line up of activities which are indicative of the commitment by the government to play a pivotal role in the global fight against climate change.
He explained that Ghana’s climate change drive is anchored on forest and natural solutions. To this end, he highlighted that by the end of the conference, there will be a general consensus on upscaling forest-oriented solutions to climate change.
Also, the lands minister disclosed that like previous editions, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has secured a pavilion which will serve as the hub of activities marking Ghana’s participation at the COP28.
Lands ministry partners Africa Women and Children Conference
Furthermore, Mr Jinapor announced that the Ministry is partnering with the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) Secretariat, under the leadership of H.E. Samira Bawumia, to host a high-level event at Ghana’s Pavilion on the implementation of the communique actions and roadmap of AFRIWOCC.
“[Ghana] will also lead a number of FCLP events where we will showcase Ghana’s climate actions in addressing forest loss, and partake in other events organized by our partners, such as the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), the Food and Land Use Coalition, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.”
Samuel Jinapor
On her part, Second Lady, Her Excellency Samira Bawumia who doubles as the chairperson of the AFRIWOCC bemoaned the devastating impact of climate change on the socio-economic development of the country.
She expressed worry over the effect of climate change on women and children and resolved to continue working with relevant stakeholders to combat it.
Outlining some notable contributions of AFRIWOCC towards mitigating the impact of climate change on women and children, Mrs Bawumia emphasized the need for women and children to be factored into climate change policies.
Scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023, at Expo City, Dubai, COP28 holds significant importance in the ongoing global efforts to address climate change challenges.
The conference will see His Excellency, President Akufo-Addo hosting heads of States and Government, and the United States’ Special Presidential Envoy on Climate, Secretary John Kerry, on the theme, ‘Leveraging Nature-Based Solutions Towards 1.5°C: Monitoring Progress’.
The President will also lead Ghana to announce her Country Package dubbed: ‘Resilient Ghana: Advancing Climate Action for Prosperity’.
In addition, the Ministry will hold a high-level Ministerial event on ‘Accelerating Forest and Nature Finance Towards 1.5⁰C’.
Other events to be led by the Ministry at Ghana’s Pavilion include a technical knowledge sharing event on the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, a roundtable discussion on the Cocoa and Forest Initiative (CFI), and a forum on ‘Safeguarding Women and Children in REDD+ Processes: Financing What Works’, to be held in partnership with Hands Across the Oceans Foundation (HATOF).
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