Action against climate change as an integral part of Ghana's development program – Akufo-Addo

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President Akufo-Addo said his government had made the decision to integrate climate action into Ghana's national development agenda, ie the program. coordinated economic and social development policies (2017-2022).

According to President Akufo-Addo, the Paris Agreement and Goal No. 13 of the SDGs, which require urgent action to combat climate change and its impact, provide a framework for Ghana to address climate change. to go forward in this direction.

Speaking at the Austrian World Climate Change Summit R20 on Tuesday, May 28, the President revealed that at local level in Ghana, all local bademblies have been mandated to address climate change issues. in their medium-term development plans.

That is why, since taking office in January 2017, his government has decided to stop the reprehensible illegal mining activities that were destroying the forests and waterbodies of nations.

He also noted that the felling of rosewood was one of the measures to protect Ghana's forests and endangered species. Again, under the program "Young People in Afforestation", more than 20,000 young people have been employed to plant 10 million trees across the country, to increase carbon sinks in the country.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated Ghana's commitment to promote the deployment of renewable energy, in line with the Government's target of 10%, to meet Ghana's international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. SDO 7, on access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, as well as ODD 13. renewable energy in the energy mix from the current 1%.

To this end, during this year, Jubilee House, the seat of the country's presidency, will be powered by solar energy, as an example for other public institutions. The goal is to install 200 megawatts of solar energy distributed by 2030 in residential and non-residential facilities, as well as in state agencies.

President Akufo-Addo further revealed that he had engaged a select group of private sector leaders to advance Ghana's "Green Agenda" in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The response, the president said, has been very positive, with the promise of creating a green fund, largely funded by the private sector.

This fund, he added, would be used to lead the national program to ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all in the country.

President Akufo-Addo stressed that "what we do in Ghana affects the people of Nepal, Mozambique and Austria. That is why we need concerted global action to deal with this threat. Success in fighting climate change will be one of the greatest legacies our generation can give to the next. "

Meeting with the Hungarian President and the Director General of the World Bank

President Akufo-Addo, on the sidelines of the summit, held bilateral talks with Hungarian President János Áder.

The Hungarian President thanked his Ghanaian counterpart for the invitation to visit Ghana in January 2020 and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening relations between Ghana and Hungary.

President János Áder has called for a close collaboration between Ghana and Hungary in the fields of agriculture, water, forests and energy, citing the. considerable experience of Hungary in these sectors.

For his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked the Hungarian leader for having reopened the Hungarian Embbady in Accra, which, he explained, provides an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two. country.

He looks forward to President János Áder's visit to Ghana, adding that Hungarian companies have enormous opportunities to take advantage of Hungarian businesses.

President Akufo-Addo also met with Kristalina Ivanova Georgieva-Kinova, Bulgarian Economic Analyst, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank.

Describing Ghana as a "success story", the World Bank CEO said that with $ 1.6 billion in investments in Ghana, the World Bank would continue to work with Ghana and help build capacity in Ghana. countries in the fields of energy, human capital development. and the economy.

President Akufo-Addo, for his part, reaffirmed his Government's commitment to maintain fiscal discipline, to manage the economy in a sustainable manner and, ultimately, to realize the vision of bringing Ghana to a situation in help.