Prioritise urban planning for environmental sustainability — UN Coordinator
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, has emphasised the need for urban planning policies in the country to prioritise environmental sustainability.
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He has consequently called for energy-efficient infrastructure, effective waste management systems, and the promotion of green public transport to ensure that cities remain sustainable and liveable amidst the rapid urbanisation.
Mr Abani further encouraged government to provide incentives for developers to adopt green building standards and to create policies that foster the growth of eco-friendly industries, with institutions like the Ghana Green Building Council leading the charge.
Addressing the opening of the 12th Ghana Flower and Garden Show in Accra, the UN Resident Coordinator further urged government to enhance industries’ adherence to sustainability practices, stressing that policies must be created to support the growth of green industries.
The event
This year's edition of the Ghana Flower and Garden Show was on the theme: "Green the Nation, Feed the Nation, Grow the Nation", underscoring the importance of innovation in sustainability and focussing on how to transform practices into gardening.
The event was held from September 22 to 29.
The opening ceremony also featured two key events, including a corporate agreement between Ghana Garden and Flower Movement and their Nigerian counterpart.
The late Efua Sutherland was also celebrated for her roles in environmental stewardship and nurturing young minds.
Urban gardening
The Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm, Esther A. N. Cobbah, also urged households to prioritise urban gardening to address hikes in food prices.
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"Home gardening, we are talking about, is not limited to flowers only, but we are talking about food that we can eat as well.
“When you grow tomatoes in your garden and they flower before they fruit, we can feed our eyes with the flowers and also eat them," she said.
Ms Cobbah said prices of food were very expensive these days, so "we need to rethink the way we do things and learn how we can do small gardening in small spaces to be able to feed ourselves without relying on food sold outside the household".