The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has called for broader collective efforts in the fight against global warming.
Delivering the keynote address at the 43rd Management Week Celebration of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) on June 7, 2023, he described climate change as posing a fundamental threat to human existence and development. He indicated that government has already taken some integral steps in addressing the crisis.
Mr Jinapor highlighted Africa’s position as the most susceptible to the impact of climate change, requiring an all-hands-on-deck approach to dealing with this phenomenon.
“The climate crisis remains one of the most fundamental threats to our development, our survival, and the sustenance of planet Earth. Indeed, with less than 7 years to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change has been identified as the most significant impediment to the realization of these goals, trapping millions of people into poverty.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor
The lands minister revealed that the impact of the looming disaster associated with climate change is already being felt across the globe in extreme weather conditions that produce hurricanes, cyclones, sea-level rise, flooding, drought, and irregular rainfall patterns, among others.
Unfortunately, he indicated that here in Africa, due to the agrarian nature of the economy and known adaptation capacities, Africa is more susceptible to these impacts.
Furthermore, he noted that though Africa contributes the least to the climate crisis, which is estimated at 4%, it bears the brunt of these adverse consequences. Whiles emphasizing the impact of climate change, he expressed the need for people of all backgrounds to join the climate fight.
“This will derail all the gains we are making towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. That is why we cannot look on while this crisis continues; we must shoulder our responsibilities towards keeping our planet cooler. Our response to climate change must be urgent, inclusive, and comprehensive, in a way that strengthens the resilience of our ecosystems, and it must involve both individual and collective action from the youth, civil society organizations, political and traditional leaders, rural communities, public and private sectors, as well as academia. We all have a role to play.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor
UGBS lauds lands minister on efforts made in combating climate change
Following this, the lands minister commended the University’s Management for focusing on climate change, whiles highlighting some policies being pursued by the government of President Akufo-Addo to protect Ghana’s environment and fight global warming.
On his part, the Dean of the UGBS, Professor Justice N. Bawole, lauded the Lands Minister’s efforts in combating climate change. He revealed that the theme: ‘Accounting for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Our Collective Responsibility’ puts the school in a position to lead a new course of action against climate change.
“We have followed your zeal for environmental sustainability since you assumed office as Minister.”
Professor Justice N. Bawole
Giving an update on the state of affairs at the school, Prof. Bawole reported on some milestones chalked by the school, which included the signing of a contract for the construction of a computer laboratory for the school, as well as the recent inductment of an 18-year-old former student of UGBS as a chartered accountant.
He, however, appealed to the government to come to the aid of the school with more support to enhance teaching and learning and also help produce quality of graduate.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Ghana, Professor Gordon A. Awandre, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the event expressed satisfaction about the various collaborations between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the University over the years. He stated that the event will serve as another platform for generating ideas that will go a long way to help in the climate fight.
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