UN Resident Coordinator wants attention paid to governance on climate change
Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, UN Resident Coordinator, on Friday said attention should be given to the governance and institutional mechanisms for a smooth and effective implementation of an Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.
“The success of the Action Plan would depend on the accountability and commitment of all institutions and stakeholders involved at all levels”.
Ms Sandhu-Rojon, who was addressing an awareness creation workshop on a five -year development Ghana Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Accra, assured the readiness of UN System to continue provide technical guidance and help to attract financial support from other donor agencies to implement the plan.
The Action Plan represents a coordinated national framework which would guide the interventions of stakeholders with the overall objective of reducing disaster risks and vulnerabilities.
The objectives of the workshop was to create greater awareness among various stakeholders about the Ghana Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, establish a linkage between the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and to finalise the budget.
“The UN system has a critical role in providing advice for policy change and supporting national and local institutions to create the institutional frameworks and “catalyse” the investments necessary for the country and its communities in ensuring sustainable and resilience to climate change and natural disasters”, she said.
She urged NADMO to exert strong and efficient leadership in managing its implementation to maintain effective working relationships and linkages with the various NGO’s, the UN and government agencies.
She explained that ‘this could be achieved through consistent work planning, efficient and effective meetings and regular reporting to monitor and discuss progress and address challenges encountered on the way’.
In his welcome address, Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of NADMO said “Ghana has initiated moves to ensure that the national Building Regulation and Building code, issues of Disaster Risk Reduction are brought to bear on all construction projects in the country”.
He said a national building guide had been developed with simplified construction concepts for local builders, adding that the protection of life, property and the environment were key to development.
About 70 participants drawn from the various Ministries and Departments, Agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal Civil Society, Nongovernmental Organisations and other stakeholders attended the workshop organised by NADMO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Source: GNA