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Climate change impacts already visible in Tarkwa, urgent action needed
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Professor Eric Stemn, Head of the Environmental and Safety Engineering Department at the University of Mines and Technology UMaT, stated that climate change is already affecting communities in Tarkwa, necessitating urgent action to prevent further environmental damage. Speaking at UMaT’s World Environment Day celebration, Prof. Stemn highlighted that residents are experiencing these effects, making it crucial for stakeholders to adapt and invest in sustainable environmental practices. The event, in collaboration with Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, focused on "A Call for Climate Action: Renewable Energy, Forest Expansion and Zero-Waste Initiatives." Prof. Stemn noted that Ghana generates over 13,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, with less than 10 percent recycled, and has lost nearly two-thirds of its forest cover since 1950. Research in Tarkwa showed over 1,000 hectares of forest lost in the past four years, contributing to drying rivers and environmental degradation. Despite challenges, Ghana has significant renewable energy potential, and stakeholders should leverage solar and other clean energy sources to meet the 2030 target of 10 percent renewable energy in the national mix. John Kwesi Adingila, Senior Manager for Environment at Gold Fields, emphasized forest restoration as an environmental, economic, and human survival issue, noting Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine's concurrent land rehabilitation practices. Portia Afful, an Environmental Officer at AngloGold A
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