Gene A. Cretz – US Ambassador to Ghana
Ghana and the US on Wednesday held bilateral talks that centred on building the capacity of Ghana to deal with the issues of climate change, environmental pollution and land degradation.
The meeting between Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Mr Gene Cretz, US Ambassador, also aimed at deepening existing relations.
Mr Cretz noted that the United States has an interest in developing its relations with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation because of its importance in the management of environmental problems.
He said the US also has a growing interest in helping the build the capacity of the Ministry because of the role that Ghana has played in international forums in terms of its leadership and issues related to climate change.
He said currently the US embassy has been working with the Ministry to maintain the national Bio Safety law.
Mr Cretz said additionally the United States Agency for International Development is also working with the ministry in other areas such as the environment and fisheries.
Mr Oppong-Fosu said Ghana has launched its national climate change policy and action plan which is intended to address the problem of climate change in areas such as food security, infrastructure and energy.
He said the ministry intends to build the capacity of its workforce to address the various environmental challenges facing the country.
Mr Oppong-Fosu said technology and innovation are key to national development, and the ministry intends to build its capacity in science and technology to address the challenges facing the nation.
He said illegal mining and environmental pollution is not a problem for the public sector alone and called on Ghanaians to work together deal with the dilemma.
He said the long term effect of the environmental pollution and land degradation on the nation is very serious.
In a related development, the Chinese Ambassador, Sun Baohoug paid a courtesy call on Mr Oppong-Fosu, and discussed how the two countries could consolidate cooperation.
Mrs Sun said her visited was to explore further corporation between Ghana and China in various fields of endeavour.
She said the China would continue to provide support to the ministry to help train professionals to deal with the issues of climate, environmental pollution and land degradation.
Mr Oppong-Fosu expressed the hope that the discussions would lead to a more detailed bilateral activities.
Source: GNA
