Former Member of Parliament for Oforikrom Constituency in the Ashanti Region and Chairperson Environment, Science and Technology Committee in the erstwhile 8th parliament has been appointed Director for Climate Parliament for Western and Central Africa.
In this new position, he will be leading the affairs of the group in the sub-regions.
Following a statement by the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency and Minority Chief whip, Hon. Frank Annor Dompreh, members of parliament took turns to congratulate him and eulogize the impacts he made in the area of climate change as a former member of the house.
“Speaker, the Climate Parliament, having recognized the efforts of the members of Ghana’s parliament; they have engaged on both sides of the house, found it appropriate to elevate one of our own, to direct the affairs of the African Sub-region to continue to marshall all the support needed to address the climate emergency” part of his statement stated.
Minority leader and MP for Effutu Constituency, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin, eulogized Mr. Marfo’s transition to his new role as a standing example that emphasizes the fact that there is life after parliament. He went on to encourage members to engage their professional lines of work while stressing the need to pay their due at all levels.
He further encouraged new entrants to see this as a sign not to be intimidated but put in their best in service especially at the committee level.
“You may be coming from different professions; I want to tell you that don’t abandon your profession. I would encourage those of you who are teachers to continue to find a space to teach. Those who belong to other professions, explore. And then back again to parliament; the advocacy on this floor is perhaps about 5% or less than 10% of our work. Your real advocacy is at the committee level, how you distinguish yourself outside of this floor”, he advised.
“Even if you don’t get the opportunity to serve in parliament, please know that there is an opportunity for you after parliament. So build your career, build your CVs and I know that very soon we will be hearing great names from amongst us and we wouldn’t only be reading tributes” he added.
MP for Ketu South, Hon. Dzifa Attivor, ntestified of Mr. Marfo’s approach to work on a non-partisan basis, while recounting the support he gave her when communities in her constituency were hit by the devastating tidal waves few years back.
“Mr. Speaker, when I was coming to the parliament of Ghana in 2021, I had no idea that I will be inundated by the tidal wave that hit my community in 2021. But when that disaster happened, one of the few people who approached me to comfort me and to guide me was Honourable Marfo. He understood that part of the problem which led to the tidal waves was because of climate change and global warming. He so educated me on it, and because of that education, I joined the Climate Parliament and also joined the disability caucus because of Dr. Emmanuel Marfo.“ she recalled. “
Recounting his exploits on the international platform, Hon. Attivor added it was a pride to see him deliver on behalf of Ghana.
“Mr. Speaker, I got opportunity to travel with Dr. Marfo to IPU and also to other international conferences out of the country. And on those platforms, it was pleasure and a joy to see our brother speak on this matter of climate change, and you felt proud as a Ghanaian”
Former Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour in his statement described him as a climate champion.
“The depth of his expertise in Climate Change, energy transition and matters of sustainability is remarkable. And even most admirable is his commitment to mobilizing global action and raising advocacy to ensure that climate financing sees great attention and also key stakeholders tackle issues of climate change as one that is so important.”
Mr. Speaker, it is so important that in every parliament, we have champions of Climate Change like we had in Dr. Emmanuel Marfo… We have every confidence in his ability to succeed. We wish him God-speed.” he said while concluding.
Touting his appointment as a sign of the opportunities and recognition one could gain globally by their active participation in the house, member of parliament for Krowor Constituency, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey recalled the instrumental role Dr. Marfo played in seeing to the passage of the Environmental Protection Bill 2024.
“This appointment comes to encourage all of us here to bring to bear our professionalism to the work that we do on the floor. We’ve all witnessed how he tackled the issues on climate change with passion and I vividly recollect his passion and frustration leading to the passage of the Environmental Protection Bill. He took a non-partisan stand and he was able to push those on the floor who were playing neutral to realize that it was a bill of interest to the nation; and for that matter we should all put our partisanship aside and look at it with an objective eye”
“Today the bill is passed into law and we are all going to be beneficiaries of it. In fact, the nation Ghana benefits from it greatly” she added.
In his time of service in the 8th Parliament, Dr. Marfo is credited with convening a caucus focused in climate change and related matters in the country. Before coming to parliament, he was a senior scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
About Climate Parliament
Climate parliament is an international multi-partisan network of legislators working to combat climate change and protect the living planet. The the network is made up of some 2000 legislators from about 121 countries and aims to build political will for the fight against climate change globally. It is headquartered in London.
