Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and greater public responsibility to tackle Ghana’s recurring flooding problem.
Speaking at a World Environment Day event organised by the Africa Climate Collaborative at the University of Ghana at the Mampong-Akuapem Senior High Technical School for the Deaf, Mr. Awuku expressed concern over the frequent flooding witnessed in Accra and other parts of the country.
He said while government agencies have a responsibility to enforce environmental regulations, citizens must also play their part by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of waste, desilting drains and protecting the environment from harmful practices.
According to him, lasting solutions to flooding will require both effective law enforcement and a change in public attitudes toward environmental management.
Mr. Awuku made the remarks during the commissioning of an ultra-modern greenhouse facility at the school, a project aimed at equipping students with practical skills in climate-smart agriculture.
He described the school as one of the most important educational institutions in the constituency and said it was important that students benefit from initiatives that promote sustainability and climate resilience.
Headmistress of the school, Philomena Buckman, welcomed the project and said it would provide students with practical agricultural training that they can apply in their communities after school.
She assured stakeholders that the facility would be properly maintained and used to support teaching and learning.
Communications and Public Engagement Specialist at the Africa Climate Collaborative at the University of Ghana, Osei Kofi Addy, said the project forms part of efforts to ensure that women and persons with disabilities are included in climate action initiatives.
He explained that the programme prioritises vulnerable groups, with at least seven out of every ten beneficiaries expected to be females or persons with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
