The launch Ghana Climate Change Coalition (GCCC)

The launch Ghana Climate Change Coalition (GCCC) is part of efforts to strengthen the existing network of CSOs operating in climate change and sustainable development in securing enhanced outcomes in the quest for equity-based development in climate change initiatives on the African continent. It is also expected that the launch will create a platform for CSOs and other critical stakeholders to engage with the climate change discourse as well as share perspectives on climate change advocacy initiatives at the national, regional and international levels. The launch is happening at a crucial time when Ghana is experiencing serious ecological challenges relating to indiscriminate depletion of its vegetative cover, destruction and pollution of water bodies through illegal mining activities (gallamsey), high temperature and erosion of its sea coastal belt among many other environmental problems.

The fight for climate justice and against environmental degradation requires collaborative efforts of all key players including local communities, national governments, the private sector and civil society organizations.  We need build and sustain the future we need. We must explore the value of regional approach with specific country-based action. We need to establish and implement significant synergy and multiple benefits among preserving biodiversity and health of the ecosystem, limiting climate change impacts, and increasing the income of the local populations.  The process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals, to compliment the Millennium Development Goals post 2015, is an opportunity to shape this Continent’s sustainable future. A transition to a Green Economy can assist in fighting one of the number one challenges facing Africa, namely climate change.

We know that unless the world acts on the rising carbon emission and keeping a global temperature rise below 2 degrees this century, climate change can never be addressed. And given the speed of climate change, quick and fast action makes abundant sense in enhancing health and food security benefits. Given the urgency of the situation we need all hands on deck, because we are all aware that the gap between ambition and reality in respect to greenhouse gas emissions and finance, not least for adaptation, remains wide and is widening. Scientists estimate that collectively these short lived climate pollutants could, if rapidly cut, deliver a global temperature reduction of around 0.5 degrees C over the next few decades while saving millions of lives and cutting damage to crops equal to about 30 million tons globally.

let raise public awareness of the problem of climate change and build public support for climate policies through the implementation of an effective climate change communication strategy. Build public support for climate policies that will enable the world to meet the objective of limiting global average temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. These communication activities should have sufficient funding and a consistent message, including the case for the 2°C objective, sustained over the long-term. Such activities should also be combined with supportive policy measures which enable the public to take action. In Ghana, coastal erosion, crop failures, high temperatures, are evident. Ghana loses 3 metres of coastline annually to sea erosion, while the Northern Regions are registering near desert daytime temperatures (42 degrees Celsius) of late.Most maize farms in the Volta and Greater Accra Regions that were cropped in the minor season last year failed due to a long drought. These are but some tangible effects that are obvious in this country.

In the midst of all these challenges facing developing and poor countries, the countries that caused the problem continue to pollute and carrying out their activities in a ‘’business as usual’’ manner. Meanwhile, several dimensions of Climate Change continue to emerge.  Climate Change and Human Rights,   Migration [Climate Refugees], Health, Education and many others

Many community groups and ethnic minorities lack a voice in the management of shared resources and have little security of tenure over land, forests, fisheries and natural resources.  This has resulted in conflict in some areas.

Ghana demands that the Annex 1 [polluting] countriessupport the adoption and development of indigenous and locally innovated technology as well as ensuring efficiency in technology transfer and deployment and alsohonour and deliver on their financial commitments.

We calling for the enforcement of the Polluter Pays Principle, transfer of Technology, adequate Finance for Adaptation and Mitigation Interventions and the building of adequate and relevant Capacity to deal with the challenges of Climate Change.

Kenneth Nana Amoateng
Abibiman Foundation-http://www.abibimmanfoundation.org
International Day of African child and Youth(IDAY-GHANA)- http://www.iday.org/
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP-Ghana)- http://www.whiteband.org/
African Youth Initiative on Climate Change(AYICC-Ghana)-www.ayicc.net
Food Security Policy Advocacy Network (FoodSPAN)- www.foodspan.org
Centre for Youth Development Advocacy (CYDA)
P.O.BOX BT 1 Tema
Flat 1/A 74 Site 3
(OPP T.DC),Commmunit 1
Tema-Ghana/African
Tel#  233-0303-213918
Mob:233244023651
skype:kenneth.nana.amoateng
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