The German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, has urged whoever emerges winner of the upcoming December 2024 elections in Ghana to continue prioritising climate change.

According to him, the next government should be a strong advocate for the people of the country, especially the youth, when it comes to addressing climate change issues.

He said, “There will be a new administration in Ghana, and whoever wins, there will be a new government. The political landscape of shaping policies to counter the effects of climate change is dramatically changing, and it is important that countries work together to find solutions to these challenging questions. Whoever forms the new administration will also need to have a strong voice for the needs of the people in Ghana when it comes to coping with the challenges of climate change.”

His Excellency Krull was speaking at an event held at Oyarifa in Accra on Tuesday, November 20, aimed at fostering a dialogue on climate change and how to empower all stakeholders to combat it.

The event was organised by the German Embassy in Accra, in collaboration with the state-owned media outlet, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and Electro Recycling Limited, Ghana, a company that manufactures functional gadgets such as LED televisions, mobile phones, and computers from recycled electronic waste.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Electro Recycling Company, Nana Yaw Konadu, emphasised that despite Africa’s minimal contribution to the global effects of climate change, Ghana must still play its role in mitigation efforts.

According to research, Africa contributes less than 4% of the global factors affecting the climate.

Mr Konadu explained that Ghana and the rest of Africa will inevitably contribute more to the climate crisis as the country industrialises, stressing the importance of addressing the issue while the nation is still in the early stages of growth.

“We have not industrialised yet. The moment our economy grows, and we start producing, we will make the same mistakes that other nations have made. It is very important for us to understand this because I believe industrialisation will come from Africa. It is crucial for the youth and children to understand this,” he told Joy News.

Mr Konadu warned that if the right measures are not implemented, Africa could end up contributing more to climate change and its negative impact on the world.

He also highlighted the need to educate the public, especially the younger generation, on how climate change works, to prevent them from making mistakes that could exacerbate the situation.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete, decisive actions to address the global climate crisis.

Speaking at COP29 in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, during the World Climate Leaders Summit, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the critical need for effective measures to protect vulnerable communities from the increasing threats posed by climate change.

He highlighted that with time running out, immediate and impactful solutions are essential to safeguard lives and ecosystems worldwide.

“We gather here, and we must demonstrate that we are not only individuals or policymakers but people bound by love for our land and environment. Our children’s future hinges on our decisions, so COP29 must be a shift from dialogue to action,” the president said.