The Chief Executive Officer of Business and Financial Times (B&FT), Dr. Godwin Acquaye, has called on Ghanaians to take greater responsibility for protecting the environment, warning that continued environmental degradation poses a serious threat to the country’s future survival and development.
Speaking in an interview with Happyghana.com during the Environmental Sustainability Summit 2026 held in Accra under the theme “Inspired by Nature for Climate, For Our Future,” Dr. Acquaye stressed the need for citizens, businesses and institutions to work together to address growing environmental challenges.
He noted that the annual summit forms part of B&FT’s commitment to promoting environmental awareness beyond its traditional focus on business reporting.
Dr. Acquaye explained that environmental issues affect every aspect of human life, including the food people eat, the water they drink and the air they breathe.
He expressed concern about the increasing pollution of the environment, highlighting the presence of microplastics in food chains and the harmful practices that expose people to dangerous substances.
He emphasized the importance of educating younger generations about environmental responsibility, saying environmental consciousness should be instilled from an early age.
“We are the environment and we are a reflection of what the environment is. If we destroy our environment, we are destroying ourselves,” he stated.
The B&FT CEO also raised alarm over the rapid depletion of Ghana’s forests, attributing much of the destruction to illegal mining activities and indiscriminate tree felling.
He warned that the continued loss of forest cover could have devastating consequences for future generations.
Reflecting on the long-term impact of environmental neglect, Dr. Acquaye cautioned that Ghana could face severe shortages of essential resources if urgent action is not taken.
He linked environmental degradation to growing concerns over food contamination, heavy metal pollution and rising health challenges.
He further expressed disappointment over what he described as limited corporate support for environmental initiatives.
While many companies view environmental programmes as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, he argued that environmental sustainability should be treated as a matter of survival for businesses and society as a whole.
“Our buildings, our businesses, it is all because of a good environment in which we are. If we destroy it, we don’t have business, we’ll be extinct,” he said.
Dr. Acquaye noted that participants at the summit gained valuable insights into the extent of environmental degradation and possible solutions. He disclosed that recommendations from the discussions would be published to help guide public action and policy conversations.
He urged all Ghanaians to be mindful of the environmental consequences of their daily actions, including the improper disposal of plastic waste, stressing that individual responsibility remains key to addressing the country’s environmental challenges.
