The Director of the Regional Institute for Population Studies at the University of Ghana, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe has called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address the denigrating effects of climate change on the environment to ensure economic prosperity.
According to him, the time has come for all to put their hands on deck to devise workable solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on human lives and promote economic well-being of the citizenry.
He made the call at a workshop organized by the Economy of Ghana Network (EGN) at the University of Ghana as a platform for knowledge sharing especially on issues concerning the environment for an accelerated economic development of the nation.
The theme for the meeting was: “ Achieving Sustainable Development Through Inclusive Green Growth’’ which underscored the significant role a green and sustainable environment can play towards the economic transformation of Ghana, Africa and the world as a whole.
Professor Nii Ardey disclosed that the current rise in sea levels especially along the Keta basin affecting human settlement and agriculture activities as a result of frequent flooding was as a result of the impact of climate change.
He also attributed the continuous decline of the water level in the Akosombo Dam due to increasing rise in temperatures which is partly due to the lack of constant flow of water from other streams and rivers into the lake due to climate change and its consequences.
The Professor who is the Subject matter specialist for Climate Change and Environment advocated for the need for the country to explore other sustainanable non- traditional sources of energy including solar, and wind power to meet the nations increasing energy requirements.
He abhorred building along the beaches of Accra which feared could pose negative consequences due to the threatening effects of climate change along the beaches of Ghana citing the example of Keta.
A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana who is also the Coordinator of the EGN, Dr Robert Darko Osei said the workshop was meant to consolidate gains made in the last event in order to create comprehensive policy briefs in order to influence policy decisions.
It also provides the platform to gather diverse views from a wide range of technocrats on specific issues with specific reference to climate and environmental concerns.
This he said would help in the economic development of the nation.
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