Conservation Biologist, also the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Professor Edward Wiafe Debrah, has called on government to adopt science-driven solutions and take uncompromising actions to protect wetlands and waterways to reduce the growing threat of flooding across Ghana.
Recent flood disaster in Accra killed at least 12 people. Seven are missing with 38,000 residents displaced.
Speaking at the first inaugural lecture at the University of Evironment and Sustainable Development in Somanya on the theme, “Biodiversity at the Crossroads: Science, Conservation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” Professor Edward Wiafe Debrah said climate change has become a reality, making it imperative for the country to strengthen its resilience through sustainable environmental planning.
He advocated for development of green infrastructure instead of excessive reliance on concrete structures, urging government to recover and protect wetlands across the country.
“The climate change is indispensable, it has occurred, but it’s up to us to develop means to withstand the impacts of the climate change.We should develop the green infrastructure. What I mean is that we don’t have to build concrete bridges, concrete in our river bodies. We better prevent people from encroaching the wetlands that are serving as towels to absorb water when the rain falls excessively and then gradually release it. But if we build concrete bridges, artificial rivers, we will come back and complain every day”.
Professor Debrah urged policymakers to consult environmental scientists and ecologists for science driven solutions to the flooding and environmental challenges confronting the country.
“Yes, because everybody depend on the natural resource and if we leave it at the hands of few, then we cannot achieve the message of conservation. It is the responsibility of everybody in the society, the government, scientists, communities and individuals are to contribute to the conservation of these resources.Note that we don’t own the earth. We are not owners of the earth, but the earth is somebody’s property and we are just tapping into it, so we have to use it carefully” Prof.Wiafe stated.
The Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, commended Professor Wiafe Debrah for his outstanding scholarly journey on conservation practice, mentorship, and University leadership refelcting the vision of the University on sustainable development.
He said Professor Wiafe Debrah is a conservation biologist whose works transcends the academia impacting global efforts on biodiversity conservation, management planning and safeguard advisory.
‘His involvement in global conservation assessments and collaborations reflects the international recognition of his expertise,’ he added
Some members of the academia who participated in the inaugural lecture lauded Prof Edward Wiafe Debrah for the 60 research pulications on the environment reinforcing the critical need to strengthen conservation and sustainable development interventions to curb the growing stresors on the environment which threatens human existence
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
