Thank you all for being here today. It is an honour to be here with you in commemoration of Africa Climate Week. Francois Hollande said brilliantly: “we have a single mission: to protect and hand on the planet to the next generation.” Now I ask, “can we confidently say that we are creating a better world for the children of today and those of tomorrow?”
With deep passion and concern for the future of underprivileged children in Ghana, I launched the Joselyn Canfor-Dumas Foundation six years ago. Since then, we have spearheaded initiatives and supported existing efforts to improve the lives of many Ghanaian children, because I believe in the future of today’s child. In education and health, we’ve done some great work, notably the ‘X Cholera Project’. But the success of our efforts is evidently at risk, if we don’t change our attitude towards our environment.
One of the biggest environmental challenges of our current existence is Climate Change. Rising temperatures and sea levels, extreme weather conditions, diminution of aquatic life, gas emissions that threaten ecosystems, reduction in agriculture produces are some of the urgent calls to why we need to pay close attention to the subjected issue and take immediate action to avoid what we can prevent today from happening tomorrow. The lives of many are at risk, and children are unfortunately the most vulnerable.
Sadly, in Ghana, we have also experienced the devastating effects of climate change and its rippling effects. It has negatively affected health, food supply, economic growth, security and quality of life.
There have been many fatal cases of flooding across the continent, and a common denominator remains the amount of plastic waste these countries generate. Disappointingly, this waste is poorly disposed of; it is in gutters, blocking drainage systems and dumped on makeshift landfills out in the open. When we throw plastic waste indiscriminately into our gutters and unto the streets, let us remember that the rains will eventually come, which can cause flooding, and wreak havoc in our communities and on our future.
On June 3rd, 2015, our nation suffered a tragic loss because we failed to act before then. That day will be remembered as one of the saddest days in our history of natural disasters when 154 people died after a severe flood. Those who survived will always have their scars to remind them of that night. We need to ensure that it never happens again.
Infectious diseases like cholera, caused by poor sanitary conditions, including plastic pollution, are highly sensitive to climate conditions. When it rains, or worse, floods, these diseases will spread and affect more people, especially our children. Some of us will live through its effects, but many others will not.
This is a call to action. We can all do one small thing that will make a big difference and it begins with us – in our homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship and in our communities. Let us ask ourselves:
• What can I do differently today?
• How can I keep my environment clean? Not just for me, but for everyone around me
• How can I educate my family, friends and colleagues about reducing, reusing and recycling plastics?
• How can we come together to battle the effects to climate change?
Mr President, thank you for making a commitment to back efforts that tackle climate change. I truly believe that Ghana can be an example for the continent if we all come together and commit ourselves to the cause, and active policies are put in place to drive this objective. I, for one, pledge to do my one small thing, and ask all citizens of Ghana to pledge with me.
When we neglect our environment, let us remember that we are denying many children the opportunity to a healthy, bright and happy future. Every child deserves a safe space to learn, play, grow and thrive. Climate Action in Africa is a race we can win if we all resolve to be the change we want to see.
