UEW holds Fourth Annual Colloquium on politics and Ghana’s environmental future

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) recently hosted its Fourth Annual Colloquium, convening scholars, traditional leaders, and students to delve into Ghana's environmental issues and the governance shortcomings that exacerbate them. The gathering, organized by the university's Department of Political Science Education on September 2, 2026, was held under the theme: "Politics, the Environment, and Our Future: Ghana at a Crossroads?"

Among the notable speakers were the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, and the Chief of Akyem Essase (Apaapam), Baffour K.S. Sikabede. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng delivered the keynote address to attendees. He contended that Ghana's failure to manage its environment stemmed from corruption and a lack of technological capacity.

He emphasized that the poverty gap was itself a technology gap, and that the country's environmental management issues were multifaceted, driven by both corruption and insufficient technological capacity.

In his remarks, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng urged the integration of science and technology into Ghana's development planning. He suggested that these areas should not be considered afterthoughts but integral components of the nation's progress. He proposed measuring the country's development by its capacity to adequately provide for its people's basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, and defense, as well as manufacturing the essential tools and machinery required for national advancement.

Chief Sikabede, the guest of honor, advocated for recognizing traditional authorities as partners in environmental protection efforts. He urged state agencies to consult with and provide adequate resources to chiefs before granting mining concessions on traditional lands, rather than addressing the issue only after environmental damage had occurred.

He declared that no illegal mining would be allowed on Akyem Essase lands during his tenure and maintained that Ghana had comprehensive environmental legislation but needed the resolve to enforce it consistently against both small-scale miners and politically connected concession holders. The colloquium served as a platform for participants to explore the intricate connection between political decisions, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability as Ghana grapples with the degradation of its forests, farmlands, and water bodies.