Mole Conference on Climate change calls for emergency response system

Accra, July 24, GNA - This years Mole Conference on Global Climate Change, ended in Accra with a call on government to ensure that a comprehensive national disaster management strategy with adequate funding is in place with effective emergency response system.

The conference, organised by the Coalition of non-governmental organisations in Water and Sanitation, CONIWAS was on the theme: "The Global Climate Change: a Challenge to the wash sector in Ghana."

It sought to share information on government policy directions and responses to climate change in relation to the water sub sector and to make a linkage between the global knowledge on climate change and its local impact.

A statement issued by CONIWAS at the weekend, asked government to ensure that project designs are able to make adequate funding for post- construction support and management to help achieve sustainable systems.

It asked government and civil society groups to incorporate and implement climate change adaptation strategies and actions in various policies, strategies and projects to protect the country from the menace.

The statement suggested the need for improved collaboration and regular dialogue among water and sanitation service providers and the Meteorological Services Agency, Water Resource Commission, the universities and development partners to offer extensive research and investment and to respond to climate change issues.

It urged civil society organisations (CSOs) like the National Disaster Management Organisation, to include education on climate change in their activities to improve knowledge and to change attitudes and practices that worsen the impact of the environmental defect.

The statement noted that the conference acknowledged the tremendous improvement in the relationship between government and CSOs over the years, adding; "all stakeholders should continue to partner with each other with the aim of providing sustainable and affordable services for the Ghanaian populace".

The Mole Conference is an annual event that was first organised in 1989 at the Mole Game Reserve in the Northern Region.

The idea behind the conference was to create a forum for dialogue on sector issues and to build the capacity of local organisations in sharing experiences and articulating key emerging issues to government for redress.