By Georgina Boadiwaa Ntim
Mr. John Nkaw, the Country Director for Action Aid Ghana, says in an interview on Uniiq FM’s Breakfast Drive that it is critical to address issues of climate change in Africa. He underscored that resolving climate change-related challenges is pivotal for Africa’s development.
Mr. Nkaw stressed the significance of holding governments accountable for their sustainability commitments. He revealed that a substantial amount of 26 billion dollars had been allocated to address climate change in Africa.
Consequently, it is incumbent upon stakeholders globally to demand transparency and accountability from governments.
One pressing concern discussed during the interview was the environmental impact of petroleum exploration and the need for Africans to campaign against climate change. This unrelenting exploitation not only harms the environment but also exacerbates the debt crisis, making it increasingly challenging for African nations to repay existing loans.
To address these issues, Mr. Nkaw emphasised the necessity of raising awareness about climate change’s global impact.
He also highlighted the disproportionate effect of climate change on women, particularly in cases of deforestation, where they often bear the burden of traveling long distances to fetch firewood, negatively impacting their health.
Women in Climate decision making:
By involving women in decision-making processes related to climate change, their specific needs and concerns can be effectively addressed.
Looking towards the future, Mr. Nkaw stressed the government’s role in promoting solar energy, including solar lamps, with the Minister of Energy taking the lead to ensure a positive environmental impact. Additionally, Mr. Nkaw emphasised the need to develop infrastructure that supports agricultural businesses, which would, in turn, help control water pollution.
He argued that carbon pricing alone is insufficient to address Africa’s debt crisis, advocating instead for investments in agroecological farming and introducing subsidies for organic farming practices, benefiting both consumers and sellers.
He also emphasised the importance of educating and involving youth in agriculture businesses and enterprises, empowering them while raising awareness about climate change’s effects.
Mr. Nkaw encouraged the use of media platforms to call on the government to take decisive action against climate change. Furthermore, he proposed recapitalizing agricultural business investments to effectively enhance climate change awareness and ensure a safe and sustainable future.
He cited Kenya’s commitment to prioritising renewable energy by generating sufficient renewable energy by 2023 to combat climate change effectively, saying Ghana can benefit enormously from information exchange on climate change issues.