Africa could turn a corner in the sanitation crisis

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE
Africa could finally be turning a corner in the sanitation crisis say civil society groups ANEW and FAN, WaterAid, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the End Water Poverty Campaign who attended the recently held AfricaSan3 conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
In the opinion of the groups, the high level of participation and engagement shown by African Governments offers cause for optimism (the conference attracted unprecedented levels of participation by delegations from 42 African countries).
The comments were made at the end of the conference which was designed to “put Africa back on track to meet the sanitation MDG”.
The delegations included ministers of water, health, environment and education as well as civil society leaders who also played a big part and pledged to work closely with AMCOW (African Ministers Council) to track progress, identify challenges and seek joint solutions.
Perhaps most critically, for the first time countries agreed detailed action plans to address key blockages to progress.
But even though all countries were able to show some progress towards pre-existing eThekwini commitments made at AfricaSan 2 in 2008, the single biggest challenge identified at the conference was funding. Identified was the fact that there has been little or no progress towards the agreed target of allocating 0.5% of GDP to sanitation, as is the case in Ghana, where the last budget only allocated 0.1% of GDP to sanitation.
Commenting on the state of improved sanitation coverage on the continent, Lydia Zigomo, WaterAid’s Head of East Africa said “If Africa is to stand any chance of getting back on track for the sanitation MDG, then these plans and strategies urgently need to be resourced.”
“But African ministers of finance and donors have a real opportunity to resolve this financing gap through the Sanitation and Water for All partnership. Concrete financial commitments from both sides are essential if millions of Africans, particularly women and girls, are to be lifted out of poverty and lead lives of dignity,” she added.
For now, the challenge in Africa still remains daunting, as figures presented show that the host Rwanda is one of just four countries in Sub Saharan Africa that are currently on-track to meet the sanitation target by 2015.
Available statistics indicate 584 million people in Africa currently do not have improved sanitation, while the poorest are 18 times more likely to practice open defecation.
It has also been observed that the reason for sanitation’s poor showing in Africa is because it is the most neglected with little funding, resources or political will to address the crisis.

Ho Muslim community schooled on environmental sanitation

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

A cross section of worshipers at the Ho Central Mosque

The Muslim community in Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana, have been told to endeavour to keep their environment clean and tidy, as that would go a long way to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases in their communities.
Making the call, an Islamic educationist and theologian, Sheikh Ishak Nuamah, said the maintenance of good environmental practices were in consonance with the ideals of Allah and remained a cornerstone of faith of the Islamic religion.
He therefore urged them to live practical lives so as to ensure that they are living in accordance with what the Quran says.
Sheikh Nuamah said these when he addressed the Muslim community at a public education campaign held in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited in Ho last week.
For his part, Zoomlion’s Volta Regional Environmental Sanitation Supervisor, Mr. Philip Anim, advised the people of Ho to constantly clear chocked gutters in order to complement the efforts of the company to rid the environment of filth and stench.
He advised food vendors to seek medical authorisation before practicing their trade and also enjoined communities to regulate the movement of stray animals, since most of them were agents of diseases.
Mr. Anim  also counselled butchers to ensure that their slaughtered animals were inspected before selling them to the public.
He used the occasion to advertise some of Zoomlion’s services, urged the people  to purchase some of the mobile toilets and not hesitate to visit the offices of Zoomlion for advice on sanitation.
The Volta Regional Imam, Alhaji  Umar  Hamza  Danjumah, also entreated the worshippers and the entire Volta Region community  to weed their surroundings, clear all chocked gutters and also take  part in frequent clean up exercises.

Lifeline for Africa’s freshwater species

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

Africa is being given a unique opportunity to conserve its tremendous diversity of freshwater species, which is a critical resource for many of Africa’s poorest people, says a press statement issued in Gland, Switzerland by the International Conservation Union, IUCN last week.

This chance has been offered the African continent, through an online interactive map, released by IUCN for each of the 7,079 river and lake sub-catchments across mainland Africa that reveals information on the distribution, conservation and ecological needs of 4,989 freshwater species, of which 21% are already threatened.

This tool and the accompanying IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ report ‘The Diversity of Life in African Freshwaters: Underwater, Under Threat’ provide vital information to help plan development in ways that minimize or avoid impacts to freshwater species.

As a result of this, decision makers across Africa can now decide to use their water resources sustainably, and avoid paying millions of dollars, as is the case in Europe, to rectify poorly planned wetland development.

Commenting on the unique break for the continent, William Darwall, Manager of the project and of the IUCN Species Programme Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, said “The importance of Africa’s freshwater species goes largely unrecognised. A quarter of the world’s inland fisheries are located on the African continent, and in some countries freshwater animals account for 75% of the protein intake of people,” “Freshwater species often succumb to collateral damage as development proceeds but in many cases this can be avoided through careful planning based on solid information.”

For his part, Paul Skelton, Managing Director, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, stated; “This is a real milestone in the history of African freshwater biodiversity – nothing as good, or like it, is out there at this point in time,”  “The information on freshwater fishes has already proved its worth in a number of conservation planning projects in South Africa, including work on the legal protection of threatened species and the establishment of a national framework of freshwater protected areas.”

Adding her voice, Aimé Nianogo, IUCN Regional Director for Central and Western Africa noted that “This production represents a very important contribution for Africa”. She said, “ In fact I expect African experts to use it as an information and training tool on aquatic species and for planning of the exploitation of fish resources. I also believe that African researchers will help in the periodic update of this list, which is of course not meant to remain idle.”

Several environmental management projects are already using information from this study to monitor the impacts of a hydro-electric dam on the Gambia River; promote a trans-boundary wetland conservation area in the Rusizi Delta; monitor water quality in the Okavango Delta; and integrate freshwater species in management of the Moulouya River catchment in Morocco.

According to the report the number of threatened freshwater species in Africa will increase dramatically if development of water resources is not planned sustainably. Major threats include loss or degradation of habitat to agriculture, and impacts of new infrastructure such as dams for irrigation and hydropower.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (or the IUCN Red List) is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant and animal species and based on an objective system for assessing the risk of extinction of a species, should no conservation action be taken.
Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable are collectively described as ‘Threatened’.

The IUCN Red List is not just a register of names and associated threat categories, but a rich compendium of information on the threats to the species, their ecological requirements, where they live, and information on conservation actions that can be used to reduce or prevent extinctions.

Abu Dhabi to host Eye on Earth summit

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

Abu Dhabi is set to host the first ever Eye on Earth Summit from December 12-15 2011, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), according to a release jointly issued by the UNEP, summit secretariat, the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency and the Environmental Data Initiative, Abu Dhabi.

The summit, according to the release, will focus on the issue of greater access to environmental and societal data, for which Abu Dhabi has over the past ten years undertaken to develop thought and practice leadership.

Giving a backgrounder to the upcoming summit, the four organizers said despite progress made after Abu Dhabi launched, under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg In 2002, much still remains to be done.

The release said although the AGEDI was designed nine years ago, to help the world’s emerging economies acquire and best use of environmental information, there is still missing, inaccessible or hidden data that cannot contribute to decision-making, but may instead result in flawed judgments with serious consequences.

According to the organizers, Abu Dhabi’s Eye on Earth summit thus aims to find the solutions that will fill those gaps, and by so doing, help the world move towards a more sustainable future, based on informed policy-making.

“Eye on Earth will address this challenge by convening world leaders, the environmental and societal information networking movement and others to identify and celebrate ‘best-impact’; those data initiatives from around the globe delivering greatest benefit,; reach a consensus on the key issues regarding greater data accessibility and encourage stakeholders to collaborate to strengthen existing initiatives and, where necessary, to launch new ones.”

The Summit will be hosted by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) and held in partnership with UNEP, while an exhibition will showcase the latest developments in environmental information and technology. 

“Across the world, sharing information has always been crucial to good decision-making. Ensuring that environmental and societal data is accessible to all those who need it whether scientists, communities, governments or thought-leaders, is essential to moving the world towards a future founded on informed policy-making. This is especially the case in emerging economies and to ensure sustainable development patterns. I am very proud that EAD will be hosting this summit,” said H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD.

Welcoming the announcement of the Summit, Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP said: “In the run-up to the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Eye on Earth presents a timely opportunity to identify practical measures to bridge the environmental knowledge gap and deliver the information and data needed to support a transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient global Green Economy.”

EAD is Abu Dhabi’s environmental regulator and advises the government on environmental policy, while UNEP is the designated authority of the United Nations system in environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP’s mission is ‘to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations’.

Energy Commission receives $691,000 grant to reduce fuel shortages

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

Ghana’s Energy Commission has received a US$ 691,000 grant from the United States Trade and Development Authority (USTDA), to help it deal with the country’s incessant fuel shortages.

Specifically, the grant is to aid the commission conduct a feasibility study into the development of a floating liquefied natural gas storage and regasification unit in Ghana.

It is expected that the project will significantly reduce fuel shortages and supply disruptions plaguing the Ghanaian energy sector, enable Ghana import liquefied natural gas from the international market, maintain a buffer supply, and regasify the fuel at a significant cost savings over liquid fuels.

The project is also expected to improve availability of gas and also reduce harmful emissions, as power plants replace heavy fuel oil with more environmentally friendly gas.

According to a press release issued by United States Embassy in Ghana earlier this week, the $691,000 grant will assist the Energy Commission in determining the cost effectiveness and technical viability of the emplacement of a ship-mounted liquefied natural gas import terminal, storage, and regasification unit.

It said additionally, it will examine the viability of the accompanying infrastructure, such as mooring and pipelines, required to transmit the gas to shore.

Mr. Alfred Ahenkora, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, and Ambassador Donald. G. Teitelbaum, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, each signed the grant on Monday, June 13, at the U.S. Embassy in Accra on behalf of their respective countries.

 Commenting on the grant, USTDA Director, Leocadia Zak, stated, “We are very pleased to support a project that is so important to the Ghanaian people and such a high priority for the Government of Ghana, we are excited for the opportunity to involve U.S. businesses in the project.”

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. It links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions, while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.

Zoomlion appeals to Tamale residents to keep their city clean

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

A cross section of Worshippers at the Tamale Central Mosque

The Assistant Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the Northern Region, Mr. Abdullah Abdulai, has appealed to residents of Tamale to desist from indiscriminate littering and dumping of waste in unauthorised places.

He also appealed to the residents to stop the burning of refuse in communal containers provided by Zoomlion, as the act destroys the containers.

Mr. Abdulai was speaking at Zoomlion’s Public Education Campaign in Islamic Communities at the Central Mosque in Tamale recently, where over one thousand worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers.

The Supervisor was of the opinion that the services the  company renders in the region  consisting of  landscaping and beautification; door to door waste collection; water supply; cesspit emptying;  janitorial  and the hiring of heavy-duty equipment, were all geared towards making the city of Tamale  clean, green and a  healthy place to live.

He added that the company’s doors are open and will readily give its support to the community whenever such requests are made appropriately.

Supporting Mr. Abdulai, the renowned Islamic educationist and theologian, Sheik Ishak Nuamah, emphasised the need for Muslims to practice what their religion calls on them to do in respect of personal cleanliness and environmental sanitation.

He stated that Zoomlion as a waste management and environmental sanitation company sees Islam as a religion that preaches cleanliness and therefore appealed to the people to work hard to affirm Zoomlion’s impression about the people in Islamic communities.  

The Imam of the Tamale Central Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Salam, also used the platform to educate the people on Islam’s stand on sanitation, be it environmental or personal hygiene. “Islam is a religion of cleanliness and every Muslim should keep his/her surroundings clean”, he said.

He cited the example of ablution as a clear indication of how much premium the Islamic religion places on environmental sanitation and personal hygiene.

Sheikh Abdul Salam advised the public to put a stop to the indiscriminate littering of the environment, a situation which he believes has a veritable link with the incidence of diseases such as malaria and cholera. “Environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility as we must all come together to fight filth. The government and Zoomlion cannot do this alone so everybody must join hands in this fight”, he admonished.                 

The Communications Officer of Zoomlion in Charge of Public Education, Mr. Ernest Asiedu Caesar, used the occasion to thank the people of Tamale for helping Zoomlion Ghana Limited to keep the city clean and also encouraged them to avoid indiscriminate dumping. Mr. Asiedu Caesar further admonished the people of Tamale to treat the staff of the company with respect, especially the street sweepers and tricycle riders, as their work is very vital to the beautification of the environment and public health.

In an interview, the Communications Manager of Zoomlion, Mrs. Isabella Gyau Orhin, said Zoomlion Ghana Limited is grateful to Sheikh Nuamah for partnering the company in its bid to reach out to the Islamic community. “So far we have been to six regions and we are determined to reach all Muslims with the good news of environmental sanitation,” She said.

UN food treaty on plant genetic resources must protect farmers’ rights – IIED

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), has urged the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to do more to protect farmers’ customary rights over biological resources.
IIED made the call in a paper submitted to the conference of the treaty’s governing body, which is underway in Bali (from 14-18 March) for its periodic assessment of the treaty’s implementation.
The Treaty (created by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation – UN FAO – in 2003) is meant to protect farmers’ rights in various ways, such as protecting rights over traditional knowledge to ensure benefit-sharing from commercial use.
It is also aimed at ensuring farmers get an equitable share of benefits that arise from the commercial use of traditional crops and have a say in national decision-making on the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources.
According to a press release issued by IIED which stated its position, the conference will also hear the first report on the treaty’s multilateral benefit-sharing fund, which is meant to take a share of profits from patented plant genetic resources and share these benefits with farmers who contribute to the conservation of Plant Genetic Resources.
That notwithstanding, Krystyna Swiderska, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), states that so far the treaty has been very poorly implemented in national law by UN FAO member nations.
She intimates though, that other international agreements that protect the rights of commercial plant breeders (e.g. seed companies) are forging ahead, such as the World Trade Organisation’s TRIPS agreement and the UPOV Convention for the protection of new plant varieties.
“The result is a perverse outcome,” says Swiderska. “Small-scale farmers in developing countries are getting no incentive to conserve their local agricultural biodiversity, while commercial interests are being well-served.”
“This gap undermines the rights of farmers because plant breeders can profit from genetic material conserved and improved by poor farmers without providing anything in return,” she adds.
To her, “This is hastening the decline of agricultural biodiversity, and so limiting the options farmers have to adapt to a changing climate, which has implications for global food security.”
The FAO Treaty recognises the enormous contribution that indigenous and local communities and farmers have made to the conservation and development of crop genetic resources. Yet the ability of farmers in developing countries to continue this role is seriously threatened — not only by a lack of benefit-sharing, but by a lack of secure rights to land and genetic resources and policies that promote industrial agriculture and monocultures.
In IIED’s paper submitted to the conference, it argues for a broad approach to the protection of farmers rights, that goes beyond benefit-sharing to include protection of farmers’ customary rights over genetic resources and associated landscapes, cultural values and customary laws, on which the continued conservation and improvement of crops by farmers depends.
The paper also presents the findings of research in Peru, Panama, Kenya, China and India, which show that traditional knowledge, genetic resources, landscapes, cultural values and customary laws are all inter-linked and inter-dependent.