Kufuor advocates effective education on climate change

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday called on world leaders to scale up education on climate change as its neglect could have negative repercussions on survival.

He said: "It does not really matter, whether developed, developing, or underdeveloped countries, all we need is to intensify education on this issue as our very survival depends on changes that we are experiencing on daily basis."

Former President Kufuor, who is one of the Ambassadors of Climate Change at the United Nations, was speaking to Ghanaian journalists after attending a climate change summit as part of the 69th United Nations General Assembly.

Climate change is one of the burning issues that would be given special attention at the General Assembly that is slated to open on Wednesday, September 25, in New York, USA.

He said climate change has for some time now muddied predictability resulting in some countries experience drought and flooding unexpectedly.

The former Ghanaian President said the survival of future generations could also hang in the balance if frantic efforts are not made to ensure compatibility of change and action.

"Right now, farming, and agriculture in general depends heavily on climate and if we don't take lasting measures then coming generations could face serious avoidable calamities."

He said it is gratifying that most leaders especially from Africa attended the summit and gave the assurance that their presence could impact positively on attitudes of people.

He said:"Am so glad that the programme was attended by governments and heads of state, as well as corporate bodies, and am sure their presence will help to change cultures and attitudes that create such climate changes in the first place."

Former President Kufuor said knowledge on the dangers on the changes could be beneficial if the masses are given adequate education.

"Over 60 per cent of Ghanaians for example depend on farming, which also depends on climate and weather, and if scientists can no longer predict the weather then, it could be inimical to our existence."

He called on scientists to spend a chunk of their time in researching and educating the masses to avoid future disasters as a result of climate change.