FOUNDER and Convener of the Green Republic Project, Nana Yaw Osei-Darkwa says tree planting remains “the most cost-efficient nature-based solution to capture carbon and help reverse the climate crisis Ghana and the world is dealing with.
He made a passionate appeal to individuals and all households in Ghana to plant trees where they are and also alter their lifestyles to reduce carbon emissions.
Speaking at the 2nd annual Climate Benefit Ball in Accra last weekend, the renowned climate change activist said “as part of a multifaceted strategy, we strongly believe that planting and nurturing trees can play an important role in the fight against climate change and global warming.”
The event, which was attended by heads of agencies, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic community and corporate leaders, among other stakeholders, was on the theme: “Reversing the Climate Trends, No Future Without Trees”.
It was also to showcase the strides made by the organisation in making the country greener; raise funds to support its “engaging the future” series, an initiative targeted at promoting sustainer environmental practices among children and the youth, and planting about 100,000 trees in the country by September, 2023.
“If we fail to appreciate the tricky and uncertain times we find ourselves in and continue to do the same things we have been doing to bring us to this point, I shudder to say we will be digging our own graves and inviting Armageddon,” he said.
According to Mr Osei-Darkwa, “the Green Republic Project is not just about planting and caring for trees, but equally and more importantly doing sensitisation through community and media engagements, holding international meetings and conferences and creating platforms such as the annual climate benefit ball series to drum home the importance of a sustainable world”.
Global temperatures projected to rise to new levels
He alluded to a statement from the World Meteorological Organisation which statement revealed that global temperatures were set to reach new records in the next five years. The statement further said the temperature rise would be fueled by heat-trapping greenhouse gases and naturally occurring El Nino event.
According to the WMO, there was a 66% likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between 2023 and 2027 will be more than 1.5 degrees celcius above pre-industrial levels for at least a year.
Project Convener lauds sponsors, supporters
Mr Osei-Darkwa acknowledged and lauded the support to his campaign of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) “led by the very intelligent young Ghanaian Mr Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng,” the National Lotteries Authority, Kasapreko Company , the Ghana Post, Izako Company Limited, Zoomlion, and Dotcom Logistics among others.
Diplomatic support
Australian Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Bernice Owen-Jones lauded the efforts of Mr Osei-Darkwa and rallied support for him to help reverse the climate crisis. She called for increased participation in the tree planting projects embarked upon by Mr Osei-Darkwa’s team and government.
