Topic:
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Evan Gagliardo
Committee: International Union for Conservation of Nature
Topic: Invasive species
Country: Ghana
School: Forest Hills Central
An “invasive species” is a species that is: 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and, 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Overall, the numbers of invasive species were predicted to increase globally by 36 percent from 2005 to 2050. Invasive species are present on all 7 continents and affect every country including Ghana. These species can negatively impact human health by infecting humans with new diseases, serving as vectors for existing diseases, or causing wounds through bites, stings, allergens, or other toxins (National Invasive Species Information Center). These same species can also cause costly economic and ecological damage each year including crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, wildlife and human disease transmission, threats to fisheries, increased fire vulnerability, and adverse effects on ranchers and farmers. Invasive species are growing due to international trade and human mobility, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, which have increased the introduction of plant and animal species into new areas where they have become invasive.
The UN has made many considerable efforts to curb the spread of invasive species, such as The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) which has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Next the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) calls on its parties to ‘prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species. The International Plant Protection Convention (1997) is an intergovernmental treaty signed by over 180 countries, aiming to protect the world’s plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests and promote safe trade (FAO, 1999). The Convention introduced the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (FAO, 2021) as its main tool to achieve its goals, making it the sole global standard-setting organization for plant health. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is one of the ‘Three Sisters’ recognized by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement (WTO, 1998), along with the Codex Alimentarius Commission for food safety standards and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) for animal health standards.
In Ghana, 221 invasive species examples include pink hibiscus, mealy bug, and armyworm. These pests and the diseases they bring, cause food and agriculture-related losses valued at USD 1 billion annually, and they account for about a 90% reduction in the original stretch of the country’s tropical forest, which impacts the economy and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, dragging these farmers into poverty. Climate change makes the challenge harder to address as warmer temperatures attract more invasive species. So, 11 public and private sector organizations collaboratively developed an Early Warning and Rapid Response System for Pests and Diseases to protect the country’s food system. Challenges faced by Ghana include limited resources/funding, cross-border challenges, and the threat of climate change, which only exacerbates the invasive species crisis. Key points about Ghana’s efforts against invasive species include collaboration with CABI. Ghana has worked closely with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) to develop response plans and build expertise in managing invasive alien pests.
Another key point is the NISSAP agreement which involves various government agencies, research institutions, and stakeholders to coordinate efforts against invasive species. The final point in this plan is the Early Warning and Rapid Response System, which puts initiatives in place to detect and quickly respond to new invasive species threats, especially in the agricultural sector. It also focuses on making efforts to educate and equip both government officials and local farmers, with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage invasive species.
Ghana believes that invasive species are a global issue and must be addressed as such but each country’s unique needs should be addressed. Ghana recognizes that different countries have different approaches – two of note are the Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2006) and the Australian Weed Strategy (Australian Government, 2016). Although the needs of countries are different as previously stated, Ghana strongly suggests that all countries work together to stop the spread of invasive species and believes that this is the best approach, because invasive species are spread mainly through cross-border travel. Ghana believes the best way to balance both global and regional approaches includes ideas such as national efforts that should include early warning systems, eradication, and control, as well as increased awareness and political leadership. Ghana believes, that global, regional, and bilateral efforts should include standards and guidelines, monitoring and assessment, and information and action networks (FAO, 2007). Ghana strongly suggests that all countries work together to stop the spread of invasive species and believes that this is the best approach because invasive species are spread mainly through cross-border travel. Ghana strongly urges organizations such as UNEP to work with them and others, to implement and fund a plan(s) that benefit every country involved, no matter the GDP so they can work together and work toward eradicating invasive species.
