The Copenhagen talks on climate change

Ghana to spearhead Africa's position
Posted: The Chronicle | Wednesday, October 21, 2009


By Charles Takyi-Boadu

The government of Ghana is to spearhead a strong African voice at the Copenhagen talks on climate change, which is seven weeks away. The move is to signal the seriousness of climate change issues as they affect Africa and other vulnerable countries in the third world.
This was disclosed by Mr. Rudolph Kuuzegh, the Director of Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Sherry Ayittey at a high-level policy dialogue on climate change in Accra yesterday.

The event, which was put together by SEND-Ghana, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), in collaboration with Christian Aid and the World Wide Fund (WWF) under the theme -‘Voice and Vision on Climate’, was the third in the series of advocacy initiatives undertaken by the NGO to ensure proper government preparations towards Climate Change Conference, which is slated for Copenhagen in December.

“Government will also push for clean and renewable energy projects, and payments for carbon-storing ecosystems”, he noted.

According to him, such a deal must come with substantial financial mechanism to benefit poor and vulnerable countries, to enable them respond to climate change in the areas of water resources, agriculture, health, infrastructure, biodiversity and ecosystems, forest, urban management, tourism, food and energy security and management of coastal and marine resources.

Meanwhile, studies undertaken by the country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that “climate change appears abstract, perhaps not an immediate concern of the politician, who has a short time to show physical results.” For this reason, government is set to provide leadership on climate change.

As a first move to whip up political interest on the issues, Vice President John Dramani Mahama is set to chair a new Environment and Natural Resources Council (ENRC), which will consider climate change a priority.

That notwithstanding, the sector Ministry has mandated a multi-sectoral National Climate Change Committee to advice government on appropriate actions at the national and international levels. In connection with the Copenhagen Climate Change talks, Mr. Kuuzegh says government and the Ministry is committed to engage with civil society in the run-up to the talks and beyond.

This is to ensure that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have the space to complement the implementation of the outcome and national response measures to improve social accountability in the country.

The Corporate Policy and Strategy Manager at the Department for International Development (DFID), Helen Sharkey said there has been a trend of increasing temperature, by about 0.2°C per decade in Ghana whilst in contrast rainfall has been decreasing by about 5% per decade in the country.

Whilst frequency of extreme flood events is increasing, she noted that drought is already a problem in some parts of the country with the coastal zones and marine ecosystems being affected by storm surges and sea level rise.

She thus noted that climate projections for Ghana indicate annual mean temperature increases of between 2.2°C and 3.5°C by 2080 whilst temperature increases will be most marked during the dry season in central areas of the country.

According to her, rainfall may marginally increase by 2080, stressing “however, this is contradicted by decreasing rainfall trends experienced over the last decades.”

Country Director of SEND-Ghana, Samuel Zan Akologo is thus optimistic that the high-level policy dialogue will bring clear understanding of government’s position for the Copenhagen conference and emerging national response to climate change, provide opportunity for civil society perspectives and pave way for post-Copenhagen engagement with government on climate change.

Kufuor’s hopes shattered

…As there is no winner for Mo Ibrahim award
Posted: The Chronicle | Tuesday, October 20, 2009


By Charles Takyi-Boadu



The hopes and aspirations of former President John Agyekum Kufuor to annex the much-coveted Mo Ibrahim award have been dashed. This follows an official announcement by the Foundation yesterday to the effect that it would not award the prize this year.
Whilst acknowledging the fact that it had considered some credible candidates this year, the Prize Committee, however, noted that after in-depth review, it could not select a winner. They however welcomed the progress made on governance in some African countries, while noting with concern recent setbacks in other countries.

The prize is awarded to African Heads of State who deliver security, health, education and economic development to their constituents, and who democratically transfer power. With a $5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life, the prize is believed to be the world's largest, exceeding the $1.3m Nobel Peace Prize.

In spite of the fact that there is no laureate this year, the Foundation says the planned events in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 14 and 15 November 2009 will go ahead.

These events will include a discussion forum that will bring together stakeholders to discuss issues that are key to Africa’s future progress including climate justice, agriculture and food security and regional economic integration.

The aim of the forum is to articulate shared aspirations and a common vision for the future around these issues.

In announcing the decision of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, the Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said it was committed to supporting great African leadership that will improve the economic and social prospects of the people of Africa. The Foundation’s focus is the promotion of good governance in Africa and the recognition of excellence in African leadership.

“At a time when, we are seeing overall progress in Africa, despite worrying setbacks in some countries, it is vital that African stakeholders and institutions come together to look for a way forward on the major challenges facing the African continent. I look forward to the discussions around this urgent African agenda”, the statement said.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established to stimulate debate around, and improve the quality of, African governance. Although there is much focus on the prize, the Foundation is engaged in many other activities to help improve governance.

Central to these is the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which the Foundation published earlier this month, which gives powerful information to all citizens about the performance of their countries.”

The forum will include the following sessions: Climate change and climate justice chaired by President Festus Mogae. President Mogae is one of United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon’s four special envoys on climate change.

Agriculture and food security, chaired by H.E. Mr Kofi Annan. Mr Annan is Chairman of the Board of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Regional Economic Integration, chaired by H.E. Mr Abdoulie Janneh. Mr Janneh is Secretary-General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

In 2006, the foundation launched the Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The inaugural Prize was awarded to former president Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, for "his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy."

Festus Mogae won the 2008 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, and will receive US$ 5 million over 10 years and US$ 200,000 annually for life thereafter.

On October 20, 2008, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated: "President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people." Both awards ceremonies were held in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.