Accra, March 20, GNA - The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with Joy Fm, an Accra based radio station, will hold this year's "Ghana Speaks" lecture slated for March 26. It is on the theme: "Living at the Expense of Future Generations: Innovating for Sustainable Development".

The lecture will be delivered by Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Director of the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), a division of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

A statement signed by Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, Head of Research and Information of IDEG said the "Ghana Speaks" Lecture series was inaugurated in 2007 and took a critical look at the management of resources for the well being of the people and for sustainable livelihoods of future generations. It said increasing urban population, without commensurate employment avenues, has contributed to increased crime while loose lifestyles, especially in the cities have led to high incidence of diseases.

It observed that development strategies that had generated macroeconomic growth had also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, and created disparities in access to resources for maintaining decent livelihoods. The lecture will appraise consumption habits and production strategies in order to mitigate their adverse effects on the environment, and conserve the livelihood of future generations. It will bring together business executives, civil society actors, parliamentarians, political party officials, the media, academia, and policy analysts among others.