Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies holds Collaborative Meeting with UK Members of Parliament

A four-member delegation from the United Kingdom Parliament, on Tuesday November 9, 2021, held a round-table discussion with the faculty of Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies (C3SS).

Their discussions centered on the University’s climate research, national efforts in tackling pollution, migration and other environment and climate related issues.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Erasmus Owusu, Director, C3SS, narrated a brief history of the Centre and stated that the Centre was established to contribute effectively to climate change research in Ghana for sustainable development.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, said he was happy the parliamentarians were visiting one of the Centres of Excellence of the University. He mentioned that climate change is a research priority area of the University so he was hopeful the relationship would enhance climate change research.

The Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, indicated his excitement about the C3SS’s engagement with the UK parliamentarians and he was delighted that both sides have a desire and commitment to the climate change cause.

Dr. Yaw Agyeman Boafo, Senior Research Fellow, C3SS, presented a summary of the Centre’s research and collaborations at this meeting.

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP, Erith and Thamesmead, on behalf of the delegation thanked the Centre for making the invitation and discussion on climate change possible.

Dawn Butler, MP, Brent Central, said each country has a role to play in the climate environment. She stressed the necessitation of such meetings in order to understand what was crucial to climate change conversation in the United Kingdom and Ghana.

Ms. Bell Riberio-Addy, MP, Streatham, added that the issue of climate change was often looked at through western lenses and this proved to be challenging.

She noted the need for strengthened collaborative discussions and research with academics in the University to solve such problems.

Prof. Owusu and Ms. Diane Abbott, MP, Hackney North and Stoke Newington presented gifts on behalf of their parties.

Present at meeting were Prof. Kwasi Appeaning Addo, Director, Institute of Environment; Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Cudjoe, Regional Institute of Population Studies and Sanitation Studies, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, College Secretary, CBAS and Dr. Robert Manteaw, Senior Research Fellow, C3SS.