H.E John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President of the Republic of Ghana and UN Climate Change Special Envoy
The Trans-Disciplinary Research Group on Climate Change and the Regional Institute for Population Studies of the University of Ghana have hosted an International Colloquium on Climate Change under the theme, “Political Commitment towards 2015 Global Climate Change Agreement”.
Former President of the Republic of Ghana and UN Climate Change Special Envoy, H.E John Agyekum Kufuor was the special guest of honor. H. E John Kufuor said it is predicted that over the next decade, many people, particularly those in developing countries would face shortages of food, water and greater risks to health and life as a result of climate change.
Former President Kufuor said unless something was done now, the world would be overwhelmed by catastrophic effect of climate change and called on world leaders to take advantage of the many options and opportunities that exist in support of Climate Change adaptation.
The former President said by his appointment as a UN Envoy, he together with Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, former Prime Minister of Norway have been asked to assist in engaging Heads of States and governments around the world in order to mobilize political will and action for the 2015 summit on climate change.
He urged African governments to work to ensure the support and adaptation of its people, technological options, such as increased sea defences or flood-proof houses, to behaviour change at the individual level, such as reducing water and electricity use in times of drought, and using insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
He advised stakeholders to also mainstream climate change programmes into central government budgets to complement political will and cut emissions.
He said Ghana’s National Climate Change Policy must also address climate resilient and climate compatible economy, while achieving sustainable development and equitable low carbon growth for Ghana.
Mr. Philip Acquah, Member of the International Roaster of Experts of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency and a Member of the International Roaster of Experts of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Philip Acquah delivering the key note address said that, the resultant warming of the climate system is said to be unequivocal. Mr. Acquah disclosed that the atmosphere and ocean have warmed; because the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, sea levels according to him have risen and the concentration of greenhouse gases has increased. He therefore stressed on the need to drive and sustain the projected ambitious emission reduction plan towards 2015 to achieve the stabilization of concentrations in the atmosphere.
Prof John Gyapong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research Innovation and Development
Chairman for the Colloquium, Pro-Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research Innovation and Development, Prof John Gyapong said the colloquium marks an important milestone in the calendar of negotiations leading to the global agreement on emission target scheduled to take place in France in 2015. He noted that, academia is hardly seen as a policy player in the developing world and yet the University of Ghana has set the stage for one of the UN special envoys to publicly discuss his agenda towards the global agreement. According to Prof Gyapong, the event being hosted by the Trans-Disciplinary Research Group on Climate change symbolizes the University’s commitment to National, Regional and Global development policy processes.
Prof. Samuel Nii Adjei Codjoe, Director of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS)
Director of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), Prof. Samuel Nii Adjei Codjoe, said the colloquium was made possible through the African Adaptation Research Center (AARC) of Excellence Project resident at RIPS with funding from the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada. He stated that one of the key objectives of the AARC is to build capacity of staff and students in research, and innovative technology to improve teaching and learning experiences on climate change adaptation.
Mr. Judikael Regnaut, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Ghana
Head of Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, Mr. Judikael Regnaut, on behalf of the Union congratulated Former President Kuffour on his appointment as a UN Special Envoy for Climate Change. Mr. Regnaut said that, the perspective of Climate Change should be properly mainstreamed in a sustainable manner to address issues dealing with energy, water, agriculture, forests, disaster resilience, sustainable production and consumption.
Guests at the colloquium
