Members of Forest Watch Ghana have called on the government with urgency to showcase the political will and commitment towards the full implementation of the country’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to honour the Paris Agreementent.
This they believe will help the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 especially the ones related to climate and the environment.
According to the CSOs, there is the need for effective CSOs participation and contribution towards strengthening the current Gh NDC (Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions Framework (Gh NDC) review processes ongoing in the country.
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are reductions in greenhouse gas emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
All countries including Ghana that signed the UNFCCC were asked to publish their INDCs at the 2013 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Warsaw, Poland, in November 2013.
On 21st September, 2015, Ghana submitted its intended Nationally Determined Contribution (GH-iNDC)1 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This report serves as an input for the preparatory work started and led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the MESTI.
Speaking at a CSOs engagenent organized by Kasa Initiative Ghana and Civic Response, Mr.Elvis Oppong Mensah pointed out that, the current structures under NDC isnt inclusive enough since keynot involving for other stakeholders like CSOs are often not incuded in key decision making processes.to partake in the governance process unlike other policies.
The aim of the engagement was to enable CSOs to input into the process as well understand the process for meaningful participation in the ongoing review processes of the NDCs,
To him, it is relevant for CSOs to play a critical role as stakeholders in the ongoing review process done by the EPA/MESTI in the country’s quest to achieve the numerous targets aimed at to mitigating the impact of the climate changes.
Therefore called for more engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with Climate actions and those in the forest sector.
To achieve this, he however called on CSOs to have a well coordinated front to influence the NDCs review process.
“CSOs should conduct “Gap analysis to identify loopholes in order to make informed contribution into the process”, he emphasized.
On his part, an expert on climate action with EPA, Dr. Daniel Benefor explained that, without the full implementation of the NDC, the targets can’t be achieved.
To him, if the country targets are not met, the global goal would not be achieved.
For the realization of these targets, as a country, we have to ensure that, we make NDC work on the grounds to better lives,to ensure climate resilient economy.
“Ambition is not about increasing target, it is about effective implementation of the NDCs and; many countries are not focusing on NDCs targets”, he opined.
Therefore contributing to the attainment of the SustainabkeSustainable DeveloomentDevelopment Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Benefor emphasized that, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with Climate Actions and in forest sector are crtitical stakeholders that need to make an input into the review process of Ghana’s intended National Determined Contribution ( NDC) framework.
Indicating that, their understsnding of the current ongoing review process is of essence that, policy thinkers should be able to understand issues relating to Climate which will enhance their understanding of what sustainable development is.
Touching on guidelines that will mitigate climate change in Ghana, he pointed out that, there is the need as a country to remove the barriers thus, significant efforts must be equally dedicated for the full implementation wmwntation of NDCs.
“If not done, the National Determined Contribution(s) (NDCs) becomes a wish lost and cycle of unfulfilled promises”, he acknowledged.
He therefore urged CSOs to push for more stakeholders’ encounter with government of the day and other relevant agencies regarding to the ongoing review process of the NDC.
Adding that, it is time for them CSOs to be at the center and forefront of the NDC implementation to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com/ Ishmael Barfi
