Executive Director of Dalhu Greening Project, Shehu Dalhu Abdul-Mumin, is advocating the implementation of tree-planting initiatives by institutions and households to protect the environment.
Mr. Abdul-Mumin said there is a need for strict enforcement of the policies on environmental protection, particularly those pertaining to tree-planting. He also urged punishments for persons who default the law against illegal cutting of trees and indiscriminate bush burning.
He made this known at the launch of Women for Sustainable Development (WoSuD) project at Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region.
The WoSuD is a non-governmental organisation aimed at accelerating development and comprehensive participation of women and other vulnerable groups through various vocational and technical skill training and developmental programmes.
The ceremony, themed ‘Breaking the Barriers through Sustainable Development for Women’, also raised awareness on the need for all to ensure the protection of the environment against the effects of climate change.
The event also featured the planting of trees in the beneficiary communities to commence the project.
According to the Director, who also doubles as the Zongo Chief of Tamale, a research by World Bank estimates that at least one million more people could fall into poverty due to climate shocks if urgent climate actions are not taken. Also, income could reduce by up to 40 percent for poor households by 2050.
The report, he noted, calls for a development pathway that builds resilience to climate change and fosters a transition to low-carbon growth through a combination of policies and public and private investments.
“Let us use our occasions to cultivate habits of planting trees to serve as a memory and legacy for the young generation,” he said.
Founder of WoSuD, Aisha Salifu Daggati, who is also Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund, emphasised that the essence of the project is to empower more women to contribute to the development of their communities.
“Our women are mostly made voiceless in society due to cultural practices. If they are empowered, it curbs the burden of men,” he said.
On his part, the Imam of Ahlubayt community – Northern Ghana, Shehu Dalhu Abdul-Mumin, underscored the need for women to be given some leadership roles in the society to enable them contribute to development.
“Undoubtedly, women are the backbone of families and communities. They provide care, support and nurturing to their families and are essential to development of children. Families make communities and communities make nations. So how, then, can anyone undermine the role of the women?” he quizzed.
