The Executive Director of Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu has made it known that the Government of Ghana only sponsored 24 out of the 170 persons who attended the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) ongoing in Glasgow.
According to him, the remaining persons were sponsored by their various institutions for their own benefits.
It has been alleged in some quarters that 337 persons from Ghana registered in the UN Registration System to attend the COP26.
Other reports also suggested that only 170 registered for the event.
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Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu said,”24 Persons in the name of Ghana Government for negotiations and other activities were registered here and were sponsored by Ghana Government. Most of them came from various institutions and they sponsored their representatives.”
Although 337 presented their names, he confirmed that only 170 persons registered successfully to participate in the event, adding that the rest could not secure visas for the event.
The EPA Boss also noted that some of the participants lived outside the country and were able to register and participate without moving from Ghana to the venue.
Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu explained that the 170 were mostly CSO’s who sponsored their representatives to participate in the COP26.
According to him, others were journalists, researchers from universities and other institutions including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Others, he said were also from the Energy Ministry and the Energy Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport, while some were Lawyers.
Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu reiterated that the major stakeholders who attended the programme on behalf of Ghana were only 24, saying that they will participate in negotiations on climate finance.
He made it known that Zoomlion supported the EPA by sponsoring their representatives which included some journalists.
Meanwhile, he said they knew about the event and presented a budget in parliament, adding that the budget was approved in parliament and therefore cannot be touted as money wasting.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
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