Climate Change: World Bank Urges Ghana To Build Skills For New Green Jobs

The World Bank has urged the Ghanaian government to restore macro-economic stability and create the enabling environment for private sector to operate fully so as to achieve its objectives on climate change.

He said that in order to reduce the impact on the poor, Ghana will need to focus on improving responsive social protection systems and safety nets for vulnerable groups, strengthening financial inclusion, and building skills for new green jobs and livelihoods.

According to Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, there must be an interface between climate and development hence, restoring the macro-economic stability is key.

Pierre Laporte was speaking in an interview with Newsghana on the World Bank Group’s new Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Ghana.

He noted that government must also consider reviewing incentives for private sector, developing green taxes, start developing green projects and allowing Foreign Direct Investments in areas where climate actions are being considered.

“Implementation of these can force development,” he said.

He also mentioned that Ghana needs to grow and it must grow fast and sustainably but there must be conscious efforts to avoid continuous construction of houses in flood prone areas.
He said: “Urban planning is key. We see many constructions particularly in flood prone areas…the next thing to do is to maintain properly. In many places the infrastructure is not enough so there is a need for more investments in the drainage system,” and also called for the better management of waste.

He called for the establishment of systems through better urban development, enhancements in resilient mobility infrastructure and services, and improved waste management.

He noted that flooding affects around 45,000 Ghanaians every year, and half of Ghana’s coastline is vulnerable to erosion and flooding as a result of sea-level rise and without prompt actions, higher temperatures and heat stress will affect crop and labour productivity, and more erratic rainfall patterns will damage buildings and infrastructure.

“We know waste if not managed well, it will end up in the drainage systems, locking the functioning of the system so it is important that it is better managed so it doesn’t end up in the drainage system.”

Pierre Laporte averred that both public and private sectors have roles to play in meeting the climate change targets and indicated that these sectors must endeavour to create efficiency in buildings, where they reduce the number of offices, since many offices consume energy.
He also pointed out that other industries like food and beverage, where plastics are mostly used need to reduce the materials being used.

He also urged the use of renewable energy production, trees planting, to maintain the temperatures, Construction irrigation system, among others.

He said, renewable energy sources and strengthening regional energy markets; and modernizing transport systems by, among others, improving public transportation and updating vehicle standards, can go a long way to help.

Commenting on the Report, Pierre Laporte said at least one million more people could fall into poverty due to climate shocks, if urgent climate actions are not taken as incomes would be affected by 40% for poor households by 2050.

He indicated that Ghana’s economic and human development is vulnerable to climate change.
“The report demonstrates that Ghana can simultaneously pursue its long-term development and climate goals,” said Pierre Laporte.