Young people in the Ashanti Region
of Ghana are engaging political leaders and decision makers to take immediate and
sustained action against human-caused climate change.
United in recognizing that the
science of climate change is unequivocal, the youth, mobilized by A Rocha
Ghana, joined in the global climate strike to draw the attention of leaders and
the citizenry on the need for all to respond to the call for climate action.
The youth marched through some
principal streets of Kumasi to dram home the reality that climate change
threatens the local and national economy, national security, public health and
safety.
“Some communities in the Ashanti
Region are already experiencing its impacts. Our rural farmers are crying over
erratic rainfall patterns, city dwellers are shouting over strong heat waves,
and there is always flooding at some major parts of the City when it rains.
Children, youth, women, low-income and minority groups are disproportionately
affected,” said the concerned youth.
Inspired by their faith, the
young activists drew the attention of the Kumasi Mayor to the fact that Climate
change is the single biggest challenge to ending poverty and ensuring the
safety and security of future generations; and that the impact of climate
change is most severe for children, youth, women and the underprivileged living
in extreme poverty.
“It is still within our power
to avoid the worst impacts of climate change if all our leaders act urgently
for the common good of the people,” said the youth in a petition to the Mayor
of Kumasi. “At this crucial juncture in human history, the Children, youth,
women and the underprivileged look to you and your team to pick up the mantle
of leadership: to take steps to strengthen, not weaken, this region’s efforts
to tackle this crisis”.
Addressing the recent UN General
Assembly, President Akufo-Addo, noted that “nature has been brutal this year in
demonstrating to us that, our climate is changing, and we are probably pushing
our world to destruction”.
The President further indicated
that, scientists have spoken on the realities of climate change; and it is time
to direct our energies to what we can and should do to counteract the danger,
and stop the unnecessary arguments.
Five Point Petition
With the eyes of children,
youth, women, the underprivileged and unborn generations, the concerned youth presented
a five-point petition to the Mayor of Kumasi to help address the climate crisis:
1. Bring back the glory of
the once touted “Garden City” of Ghana, West Africa and Africa. Ensure that, our green public spaces are protected, re-greened
and replanted. All our water ways and lands that are to be protected should not
be given to the rich for their huge mansions to the detriment of the poor who
suffer during flooding and disease outbreak.
2. Make Ashanti Region a
clean energy leader in Ghana and beyond. The
vast majority of the people ultimately support renewable energy use and
deployment. Embrace the enormous economic opportunities of transitioning to an
energy-efficient, low-carbon society. Endeavour to expand democratized clean
energy and boost the Garden City’s competitiveness in Ghana and beyond.
Remember that the new technologies in energy can offer the youth jobs.
3. Reduce carbon pollution
and our dependence on fossil fuels. Ensure
that, all sectors work efficiently by integrating climate change actions into
their programs. Assure us and ensure that the policies helping to cut greenhouse
gas emissions, curb air and water pollution, and accelerate clean energy
growth, innovation, and jobs - will stay in place and will be implemented to
the latter. Take off polluting and road unworthy cars from our roads. Halt
bushfires and illegal logging activities in our moist semi-deciduous
ecosystems.
4. Enhance Ashanti region’s
climate preparedness and resilience. In
the past years alone, floods, droughts, and wildfires have caused the region
millions of Ghana Cedis. As climate change continues to increase the frequency
and severity of these extreme events, so too grows the burden on all taxpayers
to pay for disaster relief and recovery. Help protect and strengthen our
communities, economy, and natural resources by investing in modern, climate-resilient
energy, transport, building, and water infrastructure.
5. Protect scientific
integrity in policymaking. Ensure that there is scientific
transparency and accountability without any political bias. Uphold these
standards by appointing scientific advisors, agency leaders who respect and
rely on science-based decision-making.
“You have the support of the
majority of companies, religious leaders, scientists, law enforcement agencies,
and citizens to respond to the threats posed by climate change by reducing
carbon pollution and expanding clean energy,” said the youth.
By Kofi Adu Domfeh
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