A Deputy Minister for Transport, Hon. Frederick Obeng Adom, has said there was a critical need for collaborative efforts to address the global climate crisis, and that, no nation was immune to its impacts. “We have all come to a common understanding that no nation stands alone in the face of climate change. The impacts do not respect borders or economies, they affect all of us. It is within this spirit of interdependence that we all need to work together to address climate change”, he reiterated.
He noted the urgency of implementing innovative policy measures to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, further noting that, climate pollutants coming from the transport sector were very significant, particularly because of the heavy reliance on fossil fuels, infrastructure challenges, traffic congestion, and poorly maintained vehicles among others.
In addition, he mentioned that achieving the below 2 degrees temperature goal of the Paris Agreement would be constrained without the right policy measures and interventions in the sector. Therefore, Ghana needed to seek innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint.
He made these known when he addressed participants at the Review Process for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). He said Ghana’s commitment to climate action was evidenced by its 47 mitigation and adaptation actions outlined in the NDCs, with its various stages of implementation.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the recent revision of the National Transport Policy (NTP) and the launch of the National Electric Vehicle Policy as pivotal steps towards a sustainable transport future, stressing that actions under the NDCs were at various stages of implementation and several events had taken place that needed to be taken on board.
“For the transport sector, the National Transport Policy (NTP) has been revised to address not only the limitations of the NTP 2008 but also the current realities and concerns of stakeholders as well as future development trajectories. The reviewed policy considers the prospects of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, SDGs, Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and other national development frameworks. Against this backdrop, the National Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy has also been launched to provide the framework for the uptake of electric vehicles in the country. The principal objective is to ensure that after 2045, no new petrol and diesel vehicle would be sold or imported into the country”, he said.
Hon. Obeng Adom noted that the launch of the EV Policy, alongside other national frameworks like the Energy Transition and Investment Strategy, marks a paradigm shift towards a greener and more sustainable transport system.
The implementation of climate actions within the transport sector, he revealed could not be sustained without a combination of measures such as the promotion of efficient transport modes, adoption of new vehicle technologies and transitioning to renewable energy. He added that Ghana was repositioning the sector to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in the new development paradigm through stronger collaboration and most importantly partnering with the private sector to drive the needed change.
Emphasizing the interconnectedness of economic growth and environmental sustainability, he called for ambitious, inclusive, and equitable contributions from all stakeholders, noting that a safer, affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport system was not only critical to driving economic growth but also key to a healthier planet.
The revision he said was timely as it would offer an opportunity to reposition the sector given the current happenings and the changing dynamics, it was not just a routine exercise but a reaffirmation of Ghana’s collective commitment to combating climate change.
He urged stakeholders to remain focused on the broader goal of protecting the planet while seizing the opportunity to amplify commitments through the NDCs revision process and challenge themselves to be ambitious to push the boundaries of what was possible and to support each other in their efforts.
“We have an opportunity through the revision of the NDCs to amplify our commitments and pave the way for a sustainable future. As we deliberate on our commitments, let us not lose sight of the bigger picture and the well-being of our planet. The actions, policies, and commitments we make in the NDCs bring us one step closer to averting the worst impacts of climate change. Together, we can achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and create a healthier environment for all”, he stated.
He said Ghana would continue to forge a path towards a sustainable and resilient future, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to combating climate change on both a national and global scale.
