By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, June 07, GNA- Mr. Cedric Dzelu, Technical Lead at the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, says the academia holds the key to a successful government’s climate change policy interventions.
Mr. Dzelu emphasised the importance of translating academic ideas into tangible, real-world applications.
He was representing Mr Issifu Seidu, the sector Minister, at the University of Ghana’s World Environment Day event, held at the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies.
The event, on the theme, “From Waste to Wealth: Driving Climate Action Through Innovation, Research, and Circular Solutions”, marked a significant shift in focus – moving beyond merely acknowledging pollution challenges to highlighting the substantial opportunities in transforming waste into valuable resources.
Activities included a student exhibition, a high-level panel discussion, a session on the UG-CCReS compost project, and a climate innovation exhibition.
A key focus of the event was to spotlight the Collaborative on Climate Resilience and Sustainability (UG-CCReS) project.
This initiative seeks to strengthen the higher education ecosystem and develop the human capital necessary to power green economies across Africa.
Key participants in the project include the University of Ghana, the University of Cambridge(United Kingdom ), Makerere University(Uganda) and the University of Cape Town(South Africa).
He noted that research in sustainability which would eventually influence policy interventions should aim to improve lives, restore ecosystems, and drive inclusive green growth.
Mr. Dzelu called upon scholars, particularly students and scientists at the University of Ghana, to continue leading the way, ensuring their research guided the future of climate change solutions.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to fostering partnerships among government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to create an enabling environment for genuine change.
He noted that the circular economy offered Ghana a significant opportunity to reduce environmental degradation, boost job creation, and build resilience.
The Minister’s representative said event’s theme, “Waste to Wealth: Driving Climate Action through Research, Innovation, and Circular Economy,” directly aligned with the government’s commitment to tackling the escalating impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, increased flooding, and waste pollution.
He urged the strengthening of the bridge between knowledge and implementation for a greener and more sustainable Ghana.
He praised the innovations and smart solutions presented by the UG-CCReS project.
Professor Chris Gordon, Deputy Director (Technical) of UG-CCReS, outlined the modalities of the project, stating that it focused on four main areas: Training, capacity building, partnership, and research.
He highlighted the project’s scholarship opportunities for postgraduate studies, encouraging students to leverage them to advance their expertise in sustainability.
GNA
Edited by Samuel OSEI-FREMPONG