By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Accra, Aug. 30, GNA – The Centre for Environmental Sustainability Africa (CFES Africa), an independent think tank on environmental sustainability and responsible business governance, has pledged to support the Ministers of Environment, Science and Technology; and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in addressing Ghana’s environmental challenges.
The organisation said it was ready to provide evidence-based research and analysis, technical expertise in environmental impact assessment, sustainability standards, and capacity building for regulatory agencies, district assemblies, stakeholder and ensure community engagement to support the country’s environmental priorities.
In a statement issued in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), CFES Africa congratulated Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings on her appointment and swearing-in as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, and Mr Mahama Ayariga on his appointment as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The organisation said Dr Agyeman-Rawlings assumed the environment portfolio at a time when Ghana was confronted with significant environmental challenges, including illegal mining, degradation of forest reserves and pollution of water bodies that supported millions of livelihoods.
It welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s focus on science-based environmental protection, effective regulation, consistent enforcement, and the involvement of affected communities in addressing these challenges.
CFES Africa also noted the President’s position that the destruction of forests and water bodies remained among the serious threats to national survival.
The think tank further highlighted the link between environmental degradation and public health, noting that polluted rivers, contaminated soils, and unsafe air had direct consequences for human wellbeing.
It said Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ medical background could be useful in addressing the environmental mandate, describing it as both environmental and humanitarian.
On the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, CFES Africa said the ministry played an important role in environmental governance because district assemblies had frontline responsibilities for sanitation and waste management, land-use planning and permitting, and enforcement of by-laws.
It also said the chieftaincy institution had an important role as custodian of stool lands, forests and water bodies, stressing that the success of national environmental policy ultimately depended significantly on actions at the local level.
CFES Africa said it wished both ministers wisdom and courage in their respective portfolios and expressed hope for successful tenures.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
[email protected]