“Take politics out of the climate crisis, embrace the evidence generated by science, and act decisively on climate change now – Okyenhene Advises

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The paramount Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area and chairman of the eastern regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has posited that the nation needs to embrace the same approach in fighting the deadly coronavirus pandemic to the other global canker; climate change.

According to the Okyenhene, who is more passionate about protecting the environment and as thus noted to be one of the environmentalists in the country, unlike COVID-19, climate change and its impacts are not novel processes. However, the severity, frequency and rapid rate of change laced with extreme events are slowly becoming metaphors for human suffering and deprivation.

He added that the climatic crisis is reaching a tipping point, with huge and potentially irreversible damage to our planet, our economies and overall human security for which reason the Ghana meteorological agencies have forwarned Ghana to as a matter of urgency put in measures to protect the environment for posterity sake.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin acknowledged the oneness, vested into the fight against the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic which sees all political parties coming on deck for a single fight; thus Covid-19.

” it would be irresponsible to wait until the climate crisis reaches ‘pandemic’ levels for the world to act aggressively. We must take politics out of the climate crisis, embrace the evidence generated by science, and act decisively on climate change now.” – Osagyefuo noted.

That not alone, in his thesis, Osagyefuo noted that as a climate activist, climate change is a threat multiplier. It makes existing problems worse, creates new ones, makes a mockery of boundaries whilst striking with great force in rich and poor countries alike.

Moreover, in his state as a traditional leader, the Okyenhene added that ” I deem saving our heritage a non-negotiable goal, and I am determined to do exactly that.”

It is therefore important to know that dealing with the climate crisis now is in itself a mitigation action against future pandemics. Protecting the environment and addressing climate change is not about abstract emotionalism. It is about protecting people, saving lives and livelihoods and safeguarding our heritage.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin again posited that We must focus on, and accelerate actions on the necessary adjustments needed to safeguard our ecosystems, halt and reverse the effects of climate change, protect our planet and its future, as the Sustainable Development Goals enjoin us to do.

He therefore called on all and sundry to muster the same vigour, the equivalent political will and the bountiful energy that we are seeing in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic to fight climate change.

Osagyefuo added by suggesting that procrastinating has always been a thief of time and so we must pool and scale up our efforts to deal a mighty blow to climate change using all the worthy lessons that have emerged through the unfortunate and dreadful COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must act now and do so with gusto, to protect the future of the planet and our shared humanity, as the cost of inaction to our common future, our joint heritage and our shared humanity is too dire to ponder.” – Osagyefuo’s last words in his statement.

It would be recalled that Osagyefuo together with the forestry commission initiated operation plant 1.5 trees last year in all the 942 communities in the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area which he ensured.

By: Nana Gyasi | Radio 1 | Ghana