Parliament ratifies climate change agreement

Parliament has officially ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December, 2015), with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama and a member of the Lands and Forestry committee of Parliament, Henry Kwabena Kokofu urging government to take issues related to climate change seriously.

The NPP MP, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE after the ratification of the Paris Agreement by parliament friday, said climate change was negatively affecting Ghana, adding that if care is not taken, the socio-economic lives of Ghanaians will be adversely affected which will lead to dramatic reduction in life expectancy in the country.

“It is good that now this parliament has ratified the Paris Agreement, which Ghana is a signatory to and I hope government officials, especially the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, as well as, parliamentarians will work within the parameters of the Paris Agreement and also carry the message down to the people,” he said.

According to NPP MP for Bantama, the sudden change in the rainfall pattern of the country could be attributed to climate change, with the agriculture sector being the worst affected.

He noted that it was not surprising that prices of food items and agricultural produce had skyrocketed.

“Look around these days and you realize that prices of plantain and cassava on the local market have increased astronomically and even they are in short supply.”

He said water bodies and rivers were drying up because of the effects of climate change.

“What is needed now is for the government, through its relevant institutions, to promote and train farmers, as well as fishermen on climate smart practices,” he said.

He also added that the government should develop and implement climate change and health training programmes to help public health personnel to identify and effectively manage climate change related diseases.

The Report of the Committee of Environment, Science and Technology presented in Parliament said parties to Paris Agreement are to explore ways of enhancing public awareness, public participation and access to information to strengthen the agreement.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh signed the agreement on behalf of Ghana on April 22, 2016.