Accra, March 10, GNA - Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD on Monday launched the 2008 Commonwealth Day with a call for stringent measures such as land use policies and disaster management for Ghana to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Speaking at the launch on the theme "The Environment Our Future", he said the crisis of the environment had become a continuing emergency and was threatening the planet.

"I believe it is generally agreed that the current environmental crisis confronting humanity is in part the result of the failure on the part of the international community at large, particularly the industrialized nations and economic challenges facing developing countries which compel the poor to exploit the environment in a non-sustainable manner," he said.

Mr Osei-Adjei noted that Ghana recognised the direct negative impact that climate change had on the sustainability of development and livelihoods within the country, saying Ghana shared conclusions to solving the menace.

Mr Sam Okudzeto, Chair of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), said as part of this year's celebration there was a clean-up exercise at Nungua Township and the beach to highlight the fundamental importance of protecting the environment.

He said maintaining the environment was not only for the health and enjoyment of the people, but also the preservation of animals and plants that shared it.

Mr Okudzeto noted that the sustainability of the surroundings was intrinsically connected to the ability to manage waste, monitor pollution levels and introduce energy saving initiatives. Mr R.S. Molekane, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, noted that the world was experiencing terrible things like unpredictable climatic conditions which contributed to famine and diseases because of mismanagement of the environment. "We only have one planet and it is up to us as human beings to protect it for generations to come," he added.