Meeting on implementation of climate change responses begins in Accra

Ministers responsible for the implementation of climate change responses in 11 West African countries have begun a meeting in Accra to dialogue on how to enhance and accelerate adaptation and impact mitigation measures in the subregion.

Other participants include the German Minister of Education and Research, Ms Anja Karliczek, and representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council.

The participating countries are members of the West African Science Services Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), a research and capacity-building institution established by the German government to support  West Africa to better respond to climate change through research, climate services and capacity building.

The three-day meeting, which commenced yesterday, is also geared towards deepening relationships between member countries and their German partners at policy-making levels.

It is on the theme: “Deepening partnerships between German and West African policy makers towards the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action”.

It is the third WASCAL Ministerial Council meeting and forms part of a periodic gathering of sector ministers within WASCAL member states.

They will review past efforts and map out pragmatic policies to accelerate the delivery of the centre's climate change agenda.

Impact  

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Patricia Appiagyei, asked the participants not to be oblivious of the threats climate change posed to humanity.

"The fight against climate change, which is mainly attributed to man-made activities, is progressively becoming more intense as a result of its remitting adverse impact on people's sources of livelihoods and survival and I commend WASCAL and Germany for their pivotal role to combat climate change," she added.

The minister said the approach to climate change issues, as designed by WASCAL, was practicable and impactful and, therefore, called on all member countries to redeem their financial commitments to WASCAL to enhance its efficiency for the mutual benefit of all member countries and the region as a whole.

"An institution such as WASCAL must be supported and sustained to harness regional efforts for mutual benefits," she said.

Ms Appiagyei appealed to the participants to consider the long-term financing of WASCAL to achieve climate change adaptation and mitigation in West Africa.

Ghana's efforts

"Ghana is engaged in a number of initiatives towards the reduction of global warming. We are implementing climate change programmes through government flagship programmes that aim at promoting renewable energy, lowering deforestation,  supporting the adoption of clean cooking and pursuing low carbon emissions and clean electricity supply," she said.

According to her, Ghana had invested nearly US$20 million to provide water for vulnerable farmers during long dry seasons, supplied inputs and also promoted the adoption of sustainable land technologies for rural farmers.

Ms Appiagyei said it had also established 192,253 hectares of tree plantations and employed more than 20,000 youth to plant 10 million tree seedlings.

Gratitude

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Benin, who is also the President of the Council of Ministers of WASCAL, Ms Marie Odile Attanasso, expressed gratitude to Germany for establishing and financing WASCAL over the years.

According to her, the climate change situation in West Africa required strong political decisions, solidarity and collaborations for it to be effectively tackled.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Mr Sekou Sangare, in a speech read on his behalf, assured WASCAL of continued support.

writer's email doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh