Mole National Park in collaboration with A Rocha Ghana and the University For Development Studies (UDS) Nyankpala Campus have celebrated the “International Day For Biological Diversity”
The celebration which was marked with lectures and presentations on biological diversity conservation was held at the Jebote conference hall in Mole National Park.
Every year on May 22nd, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity in observance of the momentous adoption on convention of biological diversity and the Earth Summit in 1992.
The day serves as a critical reminder of the vast tapestry of life on Earth and the urgent need to protect it.
The theme of World Biodiversity Day 2024 is “Be part of the Plan”.
This theme is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the the Biodiversity Plan.
Mr. Bona Kyire Assistant Park Manager for Mole National Park in a welcome address on behalf of the park Manager said as they celebrate world biodiversity day to recognize and appreciate the variety of life forms that God has given to mankind, from the tiniest or unseen organisms to the mightiest of the animal’s which they are privilege to have in the Mole National Park, which is the elephant, biodiversity plays a very important role in shaping the life of mankind and the environment and also sustaining human life here on earth.
Mr. Bona Kyire added that the world biodiversity day commemorates the adoption of the text of the convention on biological diversity and provides a unique opportunity to foster why support for the convention for its protocols and also conscientises all and sundry towards ensuring that everyone is playing his or her significant individual roles towards conservation of biological diversity
The Assistant Park Manager of Mole National Park called on the lecturers and students of UDS Nyankpala campus who were present to observe the world biodiversity day in Mole to intensify education and awareness creation, supporting of conservative efforts, adoption of sustainable practices, advocacy for policy changes, as well as the desire to reconnect with nature in order conserve biodiversity.
In a presentation, Dr. Timothy Khan Aikins who is a lecturer at the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Management, UDS Nyankpala campus said the UN proclaimed May 22nd as International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
According to him, in December 2000, the UN general assembly adopted 22nd May as IDB to commemorate the adoption of the text of the convention on 22nd May, 1992.
Dr. Aikins said the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at 15th meeting of the conference of the parties, following a four year consultation and negotiation process.
He said the framework supports the achievements of the SDGs and builds on the Convention’s previous plans.
Dr. Aikins said the vision for the framework is “World living in harmony with nature by 2050”.
Dr. Aikins outlined maintaining the integrity of all ecosystems, genetic diversity within and among species, ecosystem services that underpin human well-being and the benefits from the utilization of genetic resources shared fairly and equitably as the four goals of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity framework’s key elements.
On their contributions towards biodiversity conservation in the Mole Ecological Landscape, Mr. Isaac Ntori of A Rocha Ghana in his presentation said A Rocha Ghana, with its vision of “together caring for God’s creation always” and a mission “to contribute to the effective management of the earth’s resources through sustainable and innovative actions”, adopted collaborative natural resource governance, species and ecosystem conservation and management, green economy development and livelihood enhancement, climate change mitigation and adoption and conservation education, awareness creation and advocacy as their thematic areas of work.
Mr. Isaac Ntori outlined bush burning, unsustainable charcoal burning and logging, activities of pastoralists among others as key challenges they face in their quest to conserve biodiversity.
