At last year’s United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo actively sought out countries to partner with Ghana toward fulfilling its commitments under the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. Among its ambitious objectives, the program aims to halt deforestation and restore 2 million hectares of degraded land, access international carbon markets, boost cocoa production and position Ghana as a global leader in sustainable timber production. Resilient Ghana is also projected to increase tourism, create jobs and generate $12 billion through 2030. The program has won plaudits, with several countries and organizations already partnering with Ghana to implement it, including the United Arab Emirates, which has pledged $30 million. But to many Ghanaians, Resilient Ghana sounds like just another one of Akufo-Addo’s grandiose pronouncements, quickly put together to impress global audiences, but without a clear strategy or deep commitment toward actualizing it.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 12, 2024 14:58 UTC