Africa’s events industry urged to embrace sustainable practices beyond PR and publicity at Climate x Culture Summit
Stakeholders in Africa's creative industry have called for greater commitment to environmentally sustainable practices in event planning and production, warning that the industry must move beyond sustainability claims to deliver measurable action.
Industry insiders have urged Africa's events sector to prioritize genuine environmental sustainability beyond mere claims, insisting on tangible actions during the Climate x Culture Summit's panel discussion on "Greening Ghana’s Events and Creative Industry." Stakeholders, including strategists and business development leads, emphasized the necessity for joint efforts among event organizers, sponsors, and policymakers to curb waste, encourage recycling, and embed responsible practices into Ghana's burgeoning entertainment landscape.
Peter Ansah, a strategist at Republic of Amusement, acknowledged growing initiatives to incorporate sustainability but cautioned against the prevalent trend of "greenwashing" – organizations touting environmental responsibility without translating such pledges into concrete actions. He stressed that while some waste management, recycling, conservation, and restoration efforts were underway, these often remained hidden from audiences and fell short of comprehensive responsibility.
Ansah, who has collaborated on major festivals like Afro Nation and Global Citizen, advocated for more visible sustainability initiatives that enhance the overall event experience. He argued that there remains ample room for improvement to ensure environmental accountability in every aspect of event planning.
Joseph Zotoo, Senior Business Development and Research Lead at the OR Foundation, proposed integrating circular economy principles into festivals without sacrificing entertainment or audience satisfaction. He referenced the OR Foundation's Obroni Wawu Festival as a model, demonstrating how creative and environmentally responsible practices can coexist.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
