By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, Aug. 22, GNA – The Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) is preparing a Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) to fight against climate change and its associated effects within the Metropolis.
The SEACAP, being prepared with support from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), seeks to map out a scientifically grounded strategic framework for climate adaptation, mitigation, and access to affordable clean energy, and harnessing innovative tools for resource-efficient planning.
In Ghana, CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
As part of activities to formulate the action plan, the STMA has organised a three-day validation workshop, which was attended by stakeholders, in Takoradi, to seek their input to set appropriate actions and targets to finalise the SEACAP document.
Mr Abdul-Mumin Issah, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), speaking at the opening of the workshop, said the SEACAP represented a bold and strategic response to tackling the complex challenges posed by climate change in the metropolis.
He said it was also in line with the STMA’s vision to build a twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi that was not only sustainable but also inclusive, prosperous, and resilient against climate change.
The MCE stated, “As you may already be aware, the crisis of climate change does not only affect the far reaches of the world but also right here in our homes, our cities, and our daily lives. It is now a major developmental issue, as we can all see and feel the effects all around us.
“The SEACAP initiative is not just a local response but part of broader global efforts, supported by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) to address our climate change issues.”
Mr Issah noted that the document marked a significant milestone in the Assembly’s efforts to take concrete actions towards shaping a sustainable future that safeguarded the well-being of communities, and preserved the environment while creating a lasting opportunity for generations unborn.
He asked the participants to offer valuable contributions and ideas during the three-day engagement to help draw up a comprehensive action plan to address issues related to climate change within Sekondi-Takoradi.
Ms Shea O’Neil, Country Manager for CoM SSA in Ghana, said her outfit aimed to help build a better climate-resilient future for the people of Sekondi-Takoradi “because we know that cities, especially in Africa will be the hardest hit by the impact of climate change.”
It was, therefore, critical to start taking immediate plans and actions to deal with the underlying causes of climate change issues to protect livelihoods for all, she said.
GNA