The Minister-Designate for the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has advocated for a diplomatic approach to ensure Ghana continues to benefit from international climate funding.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, Murtala emphasized the need for collaboration and strategic engagement with donor countries, particularly in light of growing uncertainties surrounding global climate agreements.
The Minister-Designate expressed concern over the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement under former President Donald Trump.
He described this move as a setback for global climate efforts, especially given the U.S.’s role as one of the largest contributors to international climate initiatives.
Murtala warned that the U.S. withdrawal could set a troubling precedent, potentially encouraging other nations to abandon their commitments under the agreement.
He cautioned that such a shift could weaken the global fight against climate change and jeopardize vital funding streams for Ghana’s environmental projects.
“It is a worrying issue that the U.S. has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement because it is the biggest funder. The lackadaisical attitude happening may allow many other countries to exit the agreement, so we need to collaborate and use diplomacy to keep benefiting from climate funding,” he said.
“Global emissions are something that will not stop, so we must continue to honor our Nationally Determined Contributions. If we don’t, we risk losing out on significant donor support,” he added.
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change by limiting global temperature increases to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
It also provides a framework for financial and technical support to developing countries like Ghana, helping them adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
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