When asked about the role of government in building resilience to climate-induced disasters, I emphasized the importance of extending the government's role to include governance, encompassing both the state and the people. I highlighted the need for both actors to recognize their invaluable roles in contributing to urban resilience against climate-induced disasters.
Regarding the government's role, I noted that while there has been a commitment to addressing flooding through policies, action plans, and strategies, insufficient national resources (material, human, financial) have been allocated. Many projects addressing flooding and climate-induced challenges are funded by external development partners. For instance, I referenced the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP) in the early 2000s, costing around $65.95 million, and the ongoing Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) project, which exceeds $200 million. These external funds come with specific demands and limitations, highlighting the need for the government to allocate more national resources.
The government is awaiting the next tranche from the GARID project to address vulnerabilities and prepare for potential climate-induced disasters. Additionally, while investing in infrastructure development, there is a need to strengthen the enforcement of laws and policies, particularly regarding land-use master plans and development plans, penalizing those who encroach on ecologically sensitive areas and reclaiming lands to prevent building in waterways.
On the part of the people, attitudinal changes are necessary. Commitment to proper practices, such as building houses with integrated greenery and water harvesting mechanisms and ensuring individual micro-adaptation strategies (e.g., building defence walls, constructing small drains/gutters) do not lead to macro-level problems, is essential.
In my concluding remarks, I outlined strategies and recommendations to enhance Ghana's capacity and resilience to climate change, including integrating policy and governance, infrastructure and IT, community engagement, and education and sensitization. By implementing these multifaceted strategies, Ghana can improve its climate resilience, ensuring sustainable development and a better quality of life for its citizens.
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