Fairness, Equity Critical

– In global climate financing – Prez

Story:  Daniel NONOR

PRESIDENT Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for fairness and equity in climate change financing during his address at the United Nations “Summit of the Future.

Speaking to world leaders at the UN Headquarters in New York, President Akufo-Addo underscored the need for multilateral solutions to tackle the global climate crisis, with a particular emphasis on addressing the injustices faced by Africa.

President Nana Addo  emphasised Africa’s disproportionate burden in the fight against climate change. He noted that despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, the continent continues to suffer the most severe consequences; ranging from devastating floods to increasing desertification.

He thus demanded “climate justice” for Africa, asserting that the continent should not be made to bear the brunt of a crisis it did not cause.

“We are told to ‘adapt’ and ‘be resilient,’ but how does one adapt to famine or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons?” he questioned.

The President called for an urgent reform of the global climate financing system, insisting that Africa’s needs must be met with justice, not charity. He stressed that it is morally unacceptable for Africa to pay the price for the emissions-driven prosperity of wealthier nations.

The President’s plea for fairness in climate change financing came at a crucial time, as global leaders gathered under the summit’s theme, “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.”

President Nana Addo emphasized that no country, no matter its power, can tackle climate change alone, and that only through global cooperation can we address the existential threat it poses.

He called for bold reforms in global governance structures to ensure a more equitable and inclusive approach to tackling the crisis.

Beyond climate issues, President Nana Addo also addressed the broader inequalities that plague the global economic system. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated disparities between rich and poor nations, pushing millions into poverty while enriching the wealthiest. “This inequality is unsustainable and immoral,” he said, calling for a new global economic order that ensures no nation is left behind.

The President also touched on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council, describing it as an outdated institution that fails to reflect the current realities of global governance.

He emphasized Africa’s underrepresentation in the Council and called for the adoption of the Ezulwini Consensus, which advocates for greater African influence in global decision-making. “Africa’s voice must be heard in shaping the future of global peace and security,” he asserted, while urging global leaders to take swift and decisive action, warning that future generations would judge them by their response to today’s crises.