“Canada understands that urgent action is needed to support climate action and that is why a doubling of our international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the period 2022 – 2027 will respond to the current climate emergency, particularly in support of African countries which are disproportionately affected. These funds will contribute to strengthening Ghana’s ability to respond to the economic and social impacts of climate change and the damage caused by COVID-19.”, she stated.
In addressing the importance of a gender-based approach to addressing climate change, she added,
“The needs of women and girls are at the heart of Canada’s development assistance efforts, which are grounded in the six pillars of our Feminist International Assistance Policy. Environment and climate action and ensuring growth that works for everyone are priorities that frame Canada’s work in Ghana.”
In delivering the Welcome address, the Provost of Ashesi University, Professor Angela Owusu-Ansah highlighted Ashesi University’s commitment to supporting sustainable climate-smart innovations while stressing the importance of “simple, novel and effective solutions to solving the complexities of climate change”.
“Fast fashion contributes to 10% carbon emissions and is a key contributor to global warming making it the second largest polluter behind the oil and gas industry. Designer houses on the contrary are in the business of slow fashion which purports quality and sustainability of clothes enabling consumers to buy fewer but more expensive classic-styled clothes less frequently making it a climate-friendlier fashion type. And so it is extremely brilliant to have a renowned fashion designer sign up with GCIC, still intent on changing how she can contribute to adaptation to climate change, the economy of the country and beyond”, she expressed.
GCIC is a pioneering national business incubator with a unique focus on developing SME ventures and entrepreneurs in Ghana’s ‘Green Economy’. Our mission is to develop and support an exceptional set of transformational ventures and entrepreneurs who are pioneering adaptive and mitigating solutions for climate change issues in Ghana. We do this with a focus on five key economic sectors (energy efficiency & renewable energy; solar power; climate-smart agriculture; domestic waste management; water management and purification), the provision of premium business advisory and business mentoring services, technical support in the development, prototyping and testing of their innovation, as well as financial Proof of Concept grants to qualifying SMEs within our incubator.
GCIC is an institute of Ashesi University and is currently funded by a grant from Global Affairs Canada. The Centre, with its partner, EY Ghana, offers a unique combination of experience and excellence in private sector development, climate change, entrepreneurship, education and training, and research and development know-how.