Protect nature to safeguard livelihoods — Deputy Minister
STAKEHOLDERS at a panel discussion on the Africa Climate Dialogue have called on African countries to protect and restore natural ecosystems to mitigate the effects of climate change and safeguard livelihoods. They said activities such as illegal mining, deforestation and pollution were degrading the environment and making it increasingly difficult for communities to cope with … The post Protect…
At a panel discussion during the Africa Climate Dialogue, stakeholders urged African nations to safeguard and restore natural ecosystems to counter climate change and support livelihoods. Illegal mining, deforestation, and pollution were contributing to environmental degradation, complicating communities' ability to adapt to climate-related challenges, according to the virtual event.
The event, themed "Scaling Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience, Green Growth and Just Transition in Africa," gathered policymakers, experts, academics, civil society groups, and private sector leaders to discuss integrating nature-based solutions into Ghana's sustainable development plan. Organized by the Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA), the discussion highlighted forests, wetlands, mangroves, and other ecosystems' crucial roles in climate mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and livelihood support.
Forests absorb carbon dioxide, wetlands reduce flooding, and mangroves protect coastlines while providing fish habitats. Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, stressed the importance of recognizing nature's value and protecting it, as destruction endangers livelihoods reliant on agriculture, fishing, and natural resources.
Gyan-Mensah called for practical actions, such as forest restoration, wetland protection, and sustainable agriculture, moving beyond policies and discussions to tangible community benefits. He emphasized the need to engage local communities in managing and conserving natural resources, offering sustainable livelihood options to incentivize environmental protection without compromising income sources.
The European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Rune Skinnebach, called for bridging the gap between human actions and nature to protect the environment for future generations, emphasizing the necessity for a shift in how people perceive and engage with their surroundings.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
