An Ecocritical Examination of Ghana’s National Policy for Combating Climate Change

Ali Dan Akla
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Ali Dan Akla: Department of English Language, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Ghana.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2024, vol. 8, issue 12, 1210-1228

Abstract: This paper considers ecocritical perspectives embedded in the National Climate Change Policy and its Framework (NCCPF & NCCP, 2013) of Ghana, titled “Ghana Goes for Green Growth.†The objective of this study is to closely analyze the texts of the National Climate Change Policy Framework and Policy to identify ecocritical elements within these documents and assess how they can be leveraged to promote sustainable approaches to climate adaptation and development. This policy document reflects Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience. The framework, which evolved into the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) in 2013, focuses on sustainability. Applying close reading and ecocriticism as theories, the study found out that, the title “Ghana Goes for Green Growth†is a unique approach to economic development that prioritizes sustainability, aligning with ecocritical perspectives that emphasize harmony between human progress and nature. Drawing on ecocritical theories from scholars like Cheryll Glotfelty, Lawrence Buell, and Timothy Morton, the policy shows Ghana’s responsibility as a national and global ecological steward. The policy acknowledges the interconnection between economic growth and environmental health and stresses the urgent need to integrate ecological considerations into national development strategies. The policy framework addresses five focal areas: Agricultural and Food Security, Natural Resource Management, Social Development, Energy, and Industrial and Infrastructural Development, each reflecting ecocritical concerns about sustainability. The policy’s contribution to “green growth is a step in the right direction, towards a broader discourse on sustainability†Through a close reading, the text critiques the tension between Ghana’s developmental ambitions and the ecological realities posed by climate change, highlighting the need for a balanced and sustainable approach to progress. By positioning ecological integrity at the core of its developmental agenda, this study discovered that the NCCP advocates for a paradigm shift where true development is both environmentally sustainable and equitable, ultimately redefining how progress is measured in Ghana and beyond.

Date: 2024
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