Ehunaborim Prah Agyensaim VI, the Paramount Chief of Assin Kushea and President of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Council in the Central Region, has emphasised the urgent need for Ghana to improve waste management and environmental practices.

The chief, a member of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and former member of the National House of Chiefs pointed out that while some nations are exploring Mars, Ghana still struggles with basic waste management challenges.

In his keynote speech, delivered at the Strategic ESG and Sustainability Impact Summit (SESI) in Accra on November 13, 2024, Nana Agyensaim VI highlighted the irony of Ghana’s educational achievements in science while failing to address everyday environmental issues.

“We must transition from mere talk to tangible actions, where our deeds resonate rather than our slogans. The urgency of our situation cannot be overstated.

The Ghana Environment Manifesto of 2024 paints a grim picture of deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation, primarily due to unregulated mining activities and insufficient enforcement of environmental protections.

“Our water bodies suffer from pollution caused by agriculture, illegal mining, waste mismanagement, etc.

“We have all been to various schools and attained various academic qualifications in physics, chemistry, biology, and more, yet some countries are going to the moon while we cannot manage our domestic rubbish. It is very funny; what kind of education are we gaining?” he said.

Nana Agyensaim VI called on stakeholders to prioritise community engagement and fair labour practices to build a sustainable economy, empower local communities, reduce poverty, and promote social justice.

He also advocated for stricter government policies, stating, “So, if we cannot manage our domestic rubbish and some countries have landed on the moon and are going to Mars, it makes me wonder.

“What does the future hold if we act now and act together?

By prioritising social justice, fair labour practices, and community engagements, we can empower the local community, reduce poverty, and foster a sustainable economy.

“The environmental dividend of ESG investments is profound, driving us to a net-zero future through renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and effective waste management.

“Good governance is also crucial in this journey.

It ensures transparency and accountability.

We must strengthen the regulatory framework to hold businesses accountable to their ESG commitments.”

Rev. Mrs. Angela Carmen Appiah, President of the Institute of Directors-Ghana (IoD-Gh), encouraged summit attendees to expand their discussions beyond environmental goals, emphasising social justice and equity as fundamental to achieving sustainability.

“As we engage in today’s discussion, let us broaden the conversation beyond environmental sustainability.

Let us intentionally include discussions that address issues of social justice, equity, and community engagement.

“Now we have a call to action, and the time to act is now.

Sustainability, therefore, is not something that any individual, company, or government can achieve alone.

It requires collaboration across industries, borders, and sectors,” she said.

She added that achieving sustainability goals requires cross-sectoral collaboration.

Surveyor Bright Andy Berko, Port Estate and Environment Manager for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority in Tema highlighted investments in environmental improvements within the maritime industry, noting the importance of ongoing enhancements.

Dr. Timothy Sunday Aluko, General Manager of ESG & Impact at Pan-African Towers, emphasised establishing clear environmental baselines to guide future sustainability targets.

Advocating for tree planting, Dr. Aluko noted the multifaceted benefits of trees, from reducing carbon emissions to providing shelter and medicinal resources.

“We have to determine your baseline. Let’s say I want to set a goal for 2024; I need to know the energy I consumed in 2023 in terms of kilowatts and the amount of diesel I consumed in litres.

“Trees are very good; they serve as carbon sinks for respiration. The idea of planting trees is that if we explore all means to reduce our emissions and have done all that we can, we should now start planting trees. You know, trees serve two purposes. If you have a lot of trees around your house, they break the wind when it comes. In the evening, you can always take shelter, and they are also good for medicinal use,” he said.

“I advise that we begin to have some intentional partnerships on SDG7 to raise advocacy and influence government policies. Maybe some initiatives, maybe some carbon taxation, responsible consumption on the part of the people, and visible leadership,” he added.

Nana Kwadwo Adu-Boateng, Managing Director of EWIA Green Investments West Africa Ltd., urged Ghana to consider electric vehicles and renewable energy alternatives to reduce pollution.

He stressed the need for industries relying heavily on diesel to transition to solar or other renewable energy sources, which he described as more environmentally friendly.

“The environment becomes safe when we resort to sustainable practices. The country should look at investing in electric vehicles so that emissions harmful to the environment can be mitigated.

“The second thing is addressing manufacturing industries.

Most of them use diesel or generators extensively, sometimes running for two or three weeks continuously.

These practices pollute the environment significantly.

We are here to advocate that it is better for such industries to invest in solar energy or other renewable energy sources.”

The 2024 summit, themed “Towards a Net Zero Future for Businesses in Ghana,” brought together government officials, business leaders, and experts to discuss solutions for a sustainable economy in Ghana.

The summit aims to facilitate transformative dialogue on ESG and sustainability among businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders. With the goal of advancing sustainable practices, the event showcases solutions for reducing carbon footprints, fostering partnerships, and encouraging Ghanaian businesses to adopt net-zero emissions practices.

During the summit, representatives from various sectors shared their contributions to sustainability.

Running from November 13-14, the summit is organised by IANMATSUN Global Services Ltd., aiming to support Ghana’s journey toward net-zero emissions through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.