By Lawrence Akpalu & James Okyere
Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in a chat with Dr Marius Haas
A five-day international symposium on sustainable eco-systems in Africa has begun in Accra.
The programme, which is a collaboration between the Valley View University and the Ecological Engineering Society of Germany is aimed at offering participants the opportunity to share ideas on methods adopted by the participants to deal with climate change in their respective countries.
The participants are drawn from Namibia, Kenya, China, Germany and Benin.
It is being organised under the theme: ‘Harmonious eco-systems, for a bright future, successful pathways to sustainability in Africa’.
Vice President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Shirley Ayitey called on African countries to adopt holistic approaches towards fighting climate change.
Issues of climate change, he said, should be a shared responsibility because its impact has started falling indiscriminately upon all countries with disastrous consequences.
The Vice President said most African countries stand the risk of failing to meet the Millennium Development Goals if collaborative efforts are not made to counter problems brought about by climate change.
Mr Mahama explained that the task ahead is enormous and needs the combined forces of all citizens of the world.
This would enhance co-operation and a high sense of responsibility.
“It is not only a challenge for individual governments and their agencies but for civil society as we need to examine comprehensive factors affecting our economies,” he added.
He hinted that the prediction that availability of river sources would decrease between 30 to 40 per cent by 2020 should not be taken lightly, adding, “It will impact negatively on our dire sanitation situation with its attendant health problems”.
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Marius Haas, said the joint venture between the German government and the university would further strengthen the scientific exchange programmes between the two countries.
He said the university had already received 1.3 million Euros to plant 10,000 trees, construct an underground water storage facility and construction a baobab centre that can cover the complete demand for electricity by the use of solar energy.
The President of the University, Dr Seth A. Laryea, earlier in his address said the university would continue to improve upon its green campus agenda so as to inspire those who live, teach and study there.
“We did realise that such a campus would require the highest sense of stewardship and self-discipline to benefit those who have the vision as well as challenge individuals to be mindful of the serious conse-quences of careless depreciation of nature’s gifts,” he said.
He commended the German government for the spirit of commitment, honesty and hard work that enabled the university to undertake urban tree planting and building of sanitation equipments as well as closing of nutrient cycles through re-use of waste water, grey water, urine and organic matter for farming purposes.
The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Ms Sena Akua Dansua urged the organisers to involve women in issues concerning the environ-ment in their future deliberations.
Source: G Times
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