By Louis Ofori
Biodiversity undoubtedly is fundamental to human existence, because the economics and quality of life for all people and the effective enjoyment of human rights depend on it.
The 2019, global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy platform on biodiversity and Ecosystem Services revealed that some one million species are already facing extinction. It further warned that the current biodiversity loss is increasingly putting human security and well-being at risk.
Biodiversity conservation is embedded in all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, from eliminating hunger and reducing inequalities to underpinning sustainable communities and livelihoods globally. With ten years remaining to achieve the SDG’s available evidence shows a lack of tangible progress and ongoing high rates of biodiversity loss. These further underline an urgent need for truly systematic change to Stein the biodiversity loss and achieve sustainability.
Adoption of the Strategic plan for biodiversity from 2011-2020,as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN “Promise of Sydney” adopted a number of strategies to curb decline in biodiversity worldwide.
These include the strategic plan for biodiversity 2011 to 2020, staying initiative, promise of Sydney among others. According to the UN State of Nature Global reports, ten years after the setting up of the Aichi targets for biodiversity the world has failed to meet a single target aimed at curbing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution by 2020.
The Aichi targets sought to encourage governments to put biodiversity, a key part of food ,water ,and contributor to human well being, at the heart of natural policies and development planning. Unfortunately, the score card observed that none of the 20 targets agreed upon in 2010 were fully met by the end of 2020. It therefore became imperative to draft a new strategy christened “Post 2020 Global biodiversity Framework. This framework among others seeks to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 ,and achieve recovery and restoration.
It is a build up on the strategic plan for biodiversity 2011-2020 bread based action to bring about a transformation. The post 2020 framework calls on nations to build resilient communities in socio-ecological production landscapes to conserve biodiversity. Because the framework for the conservation of biodiversity like the SDG’s does not impose binding restricted conditions on signatory governments. Evidence to date however reveals that while the importance of investing in biodiversity is acknowledged by governments and multilateral institutions, action to preserve and enhance biodiversity is either insufficient or inefficient.
As part of preparation towards the formulation of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework, the UNDP GEF ,small Grants Programme in collaboration with the ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation and the Civil Society Organizations have held a multi Stakeholder National Dialogue on biodiversity Conservation, within the context of Socio -ecological production landscapes in Ghana. The open ended forum brought together experts ,Politicians, traditional Authorities, Civil Society groups and stakeholders from the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism among others. The main objectives of the national dialogue was to review Ghana’s efforts towards a post 2020 global biodiversity framework taking stock of the current biodiversity Conservation policies and experiences in using landscape approach in biodiversity Conservation.
It was also to share a workable sustainable framework for mainstreaming biodiversity Conservation models. As well as propose institutional and financial biodiversity mainstreaming framework within the agricultural forestry and tourism sectors at the landscape and national levels. There were panel discussions which focused on the institutional main stream of biodiversity Conservation in Ghana and Dialogue on financial biodiversity Conservation in Ghana.
GBC News caught up with some stakeholders after the dialogue. The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kweku Friyie was worried about the dwindling biodiversity. He noted that the country and its neighbours are blessed with massive natural gifts. Dr Afriyie called for concerted effort between governments in the sub region to formulate policies to curb the indiscriminate destruction of nature.
The National Coordinator of UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, Dr. George Ortsin was impressed with the quality of discussions.
He hoped a policy document will help improve and conserve biodiversity at the community level.
Chairman of the National Biodiversity Steering Committee Professor, Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, expressed delight about the ideas shared during the dialogue. To him, biodiversity issues cannot be overlooked, stressing that it affects the daily activities of everyone, therefore, it is essential to pay particular attention to it.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Founder of HATOF Foundation, Dr. Samuel Dotse lauded the government and other stakeholders for their role so far in conserving biodiversity.
He was worried biodiversity issues had been relegated to the background.
”Political actors ought to show more commitment towards such issues to attract funding”, he posited.
President of the National Apex Farmers Network, Dr. King-David Amoah noted that the dialogue has come at the right time.
”The indiscriminate destruction of biodiversity called for swift action to end the destruction. Conservation is the way to go to re-write the narrative”, he noted.
Coordinator of the National Dialogue on Biodiversity, Winfred Daniel Donkor was impressed that a lot of people have an interest in biodiversity.
”There should be more action in terms of financial commitment and sensitisation, especially engaging people at the grassroot”.
President of Avetime Traditional Council in the Ho West District, Osie Adza Tekpor said the lack of respect for values on culture and biodiversity is the central point that has led to this state of affairs.
”The law enforcement regime is weak, therefore if a policy framework is developed without a Dialogue sanction it will be difficult to implement”, he stated.
He made a case for traditional authorities to be empowered to help maintain some sanity in protecting the environment.
A Research Scientist with the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Ghana, Dr. Caleb Ofori-Boateng said the protection of wildlife is essential.
”All hands must get involved in biodiversity Conservation, spanning all facets of development”, he said.
A Director at the Environment Division at the Ministry of Environment, Peter Justice spoke about the functions of Committees and policies that are geared towards conserving biodiversity.
An Expert in Biodiversity and Environmental issues, Dr George Owusu Essegbey addressed the need to come out with accurate data at all levels.
”Information gathering and its dissertation at all levels is of prime essence”, he posited.
Head of Environment and Climate Cluster, UNDP, Mr Paolo Dalla Stella noted that his organization will continue to support efforts to help conserve biodiversity.
”Biodiversity is a key to sustaining livelihoods and must be conserved no matter the cost”, he stated.
The post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is embedded with very laudable objectives towards the restoration of the lost biodiversity. The need for a policy document and framework is a prerequisite to re-write the narrative.
But a lot has to be done across board to sensitize on the need to protect the environment for posterity.
One Response
This is quite interesting