With respect to Friday, 8th December, 2023, on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, UAE, He granted an interview to Bloomberg News on Ghana’s participation in the COP, particularly, as it relates to lands and forestry sectors.
He also used the opportunity to highlight Ghana’s leadership role in promoting forest and nature based climate action for a 1.5 degrees Celsius world, including the “Resilient Ghana” Country Package, under the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP).
However, he spoke about our policy for the exploitation and management of green minerals, and the mining lease granted to Barari DV Ltd, which provides enhanced benefits for Ghana. He also allayed fears that our 10% royalties rate, though among the highest across the globe, will not be a disincentive for investment in our green minerals.
Later, with the United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Secretary John Kerry, Honourable Samuel Jinapor co-Chaired the Ministerial meeting of the FCLP, where member countries renewed their commitment to halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation by 2030, with new commitments in financing without hesitation.
Finally, at the invitation of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Honourable joined other Ministers for the launch of the Jurisdictional REDD+ Technical Assistance Partnership (JTAP), a new initiative aimed at aligning technical support to realise the ambitious global climate targets.
However, reminded the world of the need to build the necessary capacities to speed up transactions and the delivery of results, as well as ensure that the price of carbon is the same everywhere, whether in Europe, Asia or Africa respectively.
He exceptionally ended the day with an interview with France24, on voluntary carbon markets and their contribution to the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.
The forest sector offers fast, reliable and empirical evidence-based actions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Under the distinguished leadership of President Akufo-Addo, we will continue to lead and promote nature-based climate solutions and innovations for an unprecedented 1.5 degrees Celsius world.
