Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ As Ghana approaches the much-anticipated general elections on December 7, 2024, citizens are being urged to think beyond traditional political promises and focus on the pressing matter of environmental sustainability. With the nation confronting increasingly severe climate impacts, the upcoming polls provide a unique opportunity for Ghanaians to elect leaders capable of safeguarding their future by prioritizing the environment. This is no longer a distant issue but one that directly affects livelihoods, health, and national development.
The Connecting Communities Climate and Politics for Tomorrow (3CP) project is among the voices calling for decisive action. They have appealed to voters to make environmentally conscious decisions, emphasizing that the leaders chosen during these elections will play a pivotal role in either mitigating or exacerbating the ongoing climate crisis. Ghana’s vulnerability to climate change is stark, with extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels posing existential threats to communities and ecosystems. Add to this the challenges of biodiversity loss, disrupted agricultural patterns, and heightened health risks due to pollution, and the urgency becomes undeniable.
Illegal mining, or galamsey, remains a significant environmental challenge. These unchecked activities have devastated rivers and forest reserves, leaving communities without reliable water sources and eroding Ghana’s rich biodiversity. Logging, poor agricultural practices, and open waste burning further compound the issue, creating a cascading effect of environmental degradation that undermines the country’s ability to achieve critical Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goals such as SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) are pivotal not just for global benchmarks but for ensuring Ghana’s socio-economic resilience.
Interestingly, despite the escalating environmental concerns, a recent review of the manifestos of Ghana’s two leading political parties—the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—has revealed a glaring omission. Neither party has committed to revoking the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2462), passed in 2022, which grants unfettered access to Ghana’s forest reserves. These reserves, home to globally significant biodiversity, are critical to maintaining ecological balance. The absence of a firm stance on this legislation highlights the disconnect between political rhetoric and actionable environmental policies.
That said, both parties have recently taken to their campaign platforms to acknowledge the urgency of environmental preservation. They have outlined plans to tackle illegal mining, address the impacts of climate change, and implement broader measures to protect Ghana’s natural resources. However, voters must question whether these promises will result in concrete action or merely serve as political rhetoric.
The stakes could not be higher. The environmental decisions made today will have far-reaching implications for generations to come. Ghana’s coastlines are eroding at an alarming rate due to rising sea levels, leaving families displaced and livelihoods destroyed. Erratic rainfall patterns have crippled agriculture, a sector that supports a significant portion of the population. Health concerns from pollution and toxic waste are steadily rising, particularly in urban areas where air quality continues to decline.
Therefore, voters must critically evaluate the environmental pledges made by political candidates. This requires a shift in perspective—one that prioritizes long-term sustainability over short-term gains. Leaders who can implement robust, climate-resilient policies and commit to ending destructive practices like illegal mining and deforestation are what the nation needs now more than ever.
The 3CP project’s appeal serves as a powerful reminder that environmental preservation is not a luxury but a necessity. The call to action is clear: elect leaders who are committed to tackling illegal mining, promoting biodiversity conservation, and addressing the root causes of climate change. Ghanaians must hold their future leaders accountable, ensuring they not only speak about sustainability but actively work to achieve it.
As the elections draw closer, the messages on the campaign trails have sparked a mix of hope and skepticism. Citizens are reminded that their votes are not just an endorsement of a political party but a statement of their values and priorities. A vote for the environment is a vote for the survival of Ghana’s unique ecosystems, the health of its people, and the prosperity of its economy.
The 2024 elections are more than a political event—they are a defining moment for Ghana’s environmental future. By choosing leaders who are serious about sustainability, Ghanaians can set the country on a path toward resilience, innovation, and global leadership in environmental stewardship. The time to act is now.
