President Akufo-Addo has called on global leaders to take urgent and collective action to address the devastating effects of climate change, particularly in Africa.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the President emphasized that Africa, despite being a minimal contributor to global emissions, disproportionately suffers from the dire consequences of climate change.
“Africa cannot continue to bear the burden of a crisis it did not create,” Akufo-Addo stated, stressing that the continent is already experiencing the harsh effects of climate change, including floods and desertification.
He called for “fairness, not charity,” as he advocated for climate justice that benefits everyone rather than just a privileged few.
“At the heart of today’s crisis is the climate emergency which threatens humanity’s very existence,” he continued. “Africa, while contributing the least to global emissions, bears the heaviest burden. From floods to desertification, we are already experiencing its devastating effects. Despite the promises, the vulnerable remain abandoned.”
Akufo-Addo highlighted the difficulty in coping with such challenges, noting that “we are told to adapt and be resilient, but how does one adapt to famine or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons?”
Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions, according to the United Nations.
As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.
” The wealthiest bear the greatest responsibility: the richest 1 per cent of the global population combined account for more greenhouse gas emissions than the poorest 50 per cent,” the UN report adds.
The President urged world leaders to prioritize climate justice, emphasizing that Africa should not continue paying for a crisis it did not cause.
He reiterated that climate justice is essential, not just for Africa, but for ensuring a global system that works for all nations. “We demand fairness, not charity,” he stressed, calling on the international community to act swiftly to rectify the inequalities in climate action.
In addition to addressing climate change, President Akufo-Addo also drew attention to the wider issue of global inequality, particularly the stark gap between the rich and poor. He noted that over 700 million people, representing 8.57% of the world’s population, still live in extreme poverty.
“As president, the vast gap between the rich and poor should be a sustained act on our conscience. Over 700 million people, representing 8.57% of the world’s population, still live in extreme poverty,” Akufo-Addo pointed out, urging world leaders to take immediate action to address this disparity.
The President’s call to action at the UN General Assembly resonated with many who see climate change and inequality as interconnected crises that require a global response.