The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, has inaugurated a 10-member committee to plan and facilitate Ghana’s effective participation in the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference on the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, known commonly as COP 28.
The committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, who has been tasked with identifying sources of funding for the acquisition of a pavilion, facilitating the participation of government officials at COP28, planning a natural resource and environmental sector PRE-COP28 event, and also creating a number of events at Ghana’s pavilion during the COP.
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on Wednesday, 09 August 2023, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor said the government has assumed a leading role in discussions about climate change on the globe and that there are rife expectations for the country to contribute immensely to the policy ideas and initiatives about the climate at COP28.
Mr. Jinapor disclosed that it is on the back of the huge expectations that he took the proactive step of setting up a committee to ensure that the country’s representation and participation at COP28 is impactful and successful.
He disclosed that, Ghana as co-chair of the COP28 alongside the United States of America has an honour and a big challenge of delivering a successful conference and that the committee will have to execute to perfection its terms of reference to protect the country’s reputation and image.
“For very good reasons, Ghana has become a leading country when it comes to issues of climate action. For COP28, expectations are very high, and our ambitions are also high and I felt that very early on, I put together a team of competent and capable people which will be chaired by Benito Mr Owusu-Bio” he said.
The Lands Minister also proffered some suggestions to the committee on some of the events that they can draw up to ensure that Ghana is well-represented at the conference.
He said “The Second Lady has become an iconic figure when it comes to climate action and I think that we should have a high-level event which will be dedicated to her where she can address the audience at the event. I also think that you should have a panel discussion of high-level people. You can get John Kelly and other Ministers from forest countries to join me and the president,” he said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of highlighting the African story relative to climate change and climate action. He is concerned that the territory has remained uncharted hence the need for Ghana to explore it.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio welcomed the challenge handed to him and the members by the Minister and assured him that the committee will deliver perfectly.
He promised to provide the leadership necessary for Ghana to have a successful participation and stressed the importance of COP28 for Ghana’s climate action plans.
Other members of the committee are Mr. John Allotey, CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. Sulemana Koney, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Martin Ayisi, CEO of Minerals Commission, Mr. Joseph Osiakwah, Technical Director Forestry, Ms. Roselyn F. Adjei, Director Climate Change, Forestry Commission, Head Climate Change Unit (EPA), Mr. Emmanuel Okang, Head, Protocol Unit, Mr. Cletus Alengah, Mrs Juliet Osei-Wusu.
COP28 which is scheduled for November 30 until December 12, 2023, will be held at the Expo City in Dubai.
