Over 700 million people, representing 8.57% of the world’s population, still live in extreme poverty, deprived of basic human rights, education, food, healthcare, housing and the dignity of work, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.
President Akufo-Addo, who said this at the Summit of the Future (SOTF) on Sunday, in New York, added that climate justice requires an economic system that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
“We expect justice, not charity and Africa cannot continue to pay for a crisis she did not create,” he noted.
“We must build a new global economic order that promotes inclusivity and equity for all,” he added.
Speaking on the theme “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow”, the President noted that no nation, however powerful, can resolve today’s challenges alone.
“The climate crisis, inequality, pandemics, terrorism and violent extremism are not local problems but global and demand global solutions,”
The President stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected inequality.
“The pandemic exacerbated this inequality. Pushing millions more into poverty,” describing the situation as “unsustainable and immoral.”
He cautioned against the rise of irrational isolationism and blind nationalism, stating that such paths lead to failure.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
