The natural resources sector's stakeholders have been asked to take concrete steps to protect the environment and build a sustainable future.
It was recommended that the promises center on proactive steps to nurture and safeguard the nation's endowment of natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
The appeal was made yesterday in Accra at the start of a two-day stakeholder debate held by the Graphic Communications Group (GCGL) in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
"Harnessing our Natural Resources for our Sustainable Collective Good" is the theme of the event.
Collaboration
In addition to pledging to act, Mr. Afful advised stakeholders to "learn from what has been done over time" and influence the future, our communities, and our environment.
We can build a sustainable future for all Ghanaians—living and unborn—by showing compassion and cooperating.
He added that he asked stakeholders to take a more holistic approach to managing natural resources by combining social welfare, environmental protection, and economic growth with revenues and ambitions for development.
He remarked, "We must work together to create creative solutions that promote sustainable consumption and production trends.
Additionally, he suggested that mining and other land-use operations be carried out in a responsible and sustainable way that takes environmental protection and human welfare into account.
Mr. Afful also promoted environmental conservation and the development of sustainable growth through people-to-people cooperation.
All business interests in the exploitation and use of natural resources, including those of the government and civil society,
We must adopt sustainable practices in resource use and management, he added, "to ensure that we meet current demands without endangering the interests and wellbeing of future generations."
Mr. Afful said that Ghana, the planet's core, was blessed with a plethora of natural resources, including arable land, forests, water bodies, and minerals, among others. However, he claimed that these resources were limited and needed to be fostered and preserved since they were in such short supply.
He stated that taking such action was crucial since the nation's natural resources and related extractive industries had long since played a crucial role in the success and development of the country's economy and national infrastructure.
He said that Ghana was well known for having a wealth of natural resources, including gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, oil, lithium ore, and, until recently, a lot of hardwood timber.
He continued by saying that the mining industry has significantly contributed to the economic growth of the nation by producing employment and tax income that the government could use to fund other programs.
However, he pointed out that the excessive, unchecked, unregulated, and unrepentant exploitation and use of natural resources had "resulted in irreparable damage, in some instances, to our environment and on occasions contributed to disasters and the loss of precious human lives".
Mr. Afful cited unlawful mining, also known as galamsey, as having a detrimental effect on the environment, leading to deforestation, excessive water pollution, and the loss of natural resources.
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