Mr Julian Opuni, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, says building a greener future requires bringing together diverse voices and perspectives across industries, sectors, and communities. He said whether through public-private partnerships, engaging with NGOs, or co-creating with innovators, 'we must recognise that our collective efforts are the key to success.' Mr Opuni was speaking at the 3rd Sustainability Summit organised by Business and Financial Times (B and FT) in partnership with Fidelity Bank in Accra. The summit was on the theme: 'Ensuring Environmental and Economic Sustainability: Collaborating for a Greener Future.' The Managing Director said it was their mandate to be part of that rejuvenation process and to ensure that the next generation was happy about the contribution to a worthwhile future with resources and policies in place. 'We are at a pivotal moment in history where our decisions will shape not just the future of our businesses but the future of our planet,' he added. Mr Opuni said the impacts of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental and biodiversity degradation were no longer distant threats, affecting lives and livelihoods. He said it was their responsibility, as stewards of this generation, to address these issues with the urgency required. He said in the face of these challenges, stakeholders must remain steadfast and unwavering in their commitment to a sustainable future, guided by honour, good sense, and the collective determination to make a difference. He urged the stakeholders to think boldly, act decisively, and collaborate purposefully. 'Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, promoting green financing, and supporting the communities we serve has grown stronger with each passing day,' he added. He said one of the key milestones in the journey was the launch of the Fidelity Bank GreenTech Innovation Challenge. Through the initiative, under the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurship Fund, the Bank committed over GH?1million in grant funding to support in novative solutions addressing environmental challenges in Ghana. He said from developing technologies for urban farming to developing machinery to support smallholder farmers in the communities that raised them, these entrepreneurs had shown them that the solutions for their agricultural challenges were not out of reach for them. Dr. Godwin Acquaye, Managing Director, B and FT, said environmental sustainability was vital to the health and well-being of the planet. He said climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution were threatening the ecosystems that the communities depended on. These issues demand immediate attention, not just from governments but from businesses, communities, and individuals alike. Dr Acquaye said recent reports indicated that illegal mining was on the rise, driven by factors such as weak enforcement of regulations, economic desperation, and a lack of sustainable livelihoods in affected areas and the consequences were dire. He said rain patterns were changing, a direct result of environmental degradation and climate change, leading to unpredictable seasons and diminishing yields for rain-fed farmers. The loss of agricultural productivity is already being felt, and the future looks bleak if these destructive activities continue unchecked. 'The reality we face is stark: if we fail to address this crisis now, we may soon find ourselves in the unthinkable situation of importing basic necessities like water,' he added. He said, 'we cannot afford to see these as separate issues. The economy depends on the environment, and the environment, in turn, is influenced by economic activity. They must be in harmony.' He urged stakeholders to commit to stronger enforcement of laws against illegal mining, invest in sustainable development alternatives, and empower communities with the resources they need to protect and restore their environment. 'If we do not, the consequences will not only be environmental but also economic, social, and humanitarian. Let us not wait until it is too late,' he added. Source: Ghana News Agency
- November 10, 2024
