Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to climate leadership in Africa through enhanced diplomatic coordination and a strengthened whole-of-government approach to climate action.
This followed a working visit by Mr. Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, to Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, aimed at deepening institutional collaboration in advancing Ghana’s climate resilience and sustainability agenda.
The engagement formed part of a broader strategy by the newly established Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability to align national institutions, diplomatic missions and development partners behind a coherent climate policy framework.
During the meeting, Mr. Seidu outlined the vision, mandate and emerging priorities of his office, stressing that effective climate action required stronger inter-sectoral coordination, sustained international engagement and strategic partnerships.
He highlighted steps already taken to operationalise the government’s climate agenda, including the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial and Agency Technical Working Group comprising ministries, state agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector to harmonise climate interventions across sectors.
Mr. Seidu also announced plans to establish a National Climate and Sustainability Hub to centralise climate data, research, financing mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives, alongside proposals to institutionalise Climate Change and Sustainability Units across public sector institutions.
He emphasized the importance of leveraging Ghana’s diplomatic missions and embassies to promote the country’s climate interests, attract green investment and unlock international climate financing opportunities.
Highlighting emerging opportunities in carbon credit markets, Mr. Seidu called for innovative financing mechanisms, including debt relief initiatives for African countries disproportionately affected by climate change but constrained by high external debt burdens.
“Flexible financing arrangements and debt forgiveness will create the fiscal space needed to scale up climate adaptation and mitigation programmes, with long-term economic and environmental benefits,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa commended Mr. Seidu’s leadership and welcomed the President’s decision to establish the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, describing it as a timely intervention.
He noted that Ghana’s proactive climate posture had enhanced its international standing and pledged the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in advancing the office’s mandate.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further assured of technical and capacity support to strengthen Ghana’s participation in global climate negotiations and diplomatic platforms, adding that Mr. Seidu’s appointment to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) had further elevated Ghana’s credibility in international climate diplomacy.
Both ministers agreed on a structured roadmap to deploy Ghana’s diplomatic missions in advancing climate advocacy, financing and partnerships.
Priority areas identified included strengthened climate representation at global forums such as the UNFCCC and COP meetings, mobilization of climate finance and technology transfer, capacity-building through knowledge exchange with universities and diaspora networks, promotion of green investment opportunities, and support for carbon markets and Article 6 cooperation under the Paris Agreement.
The enhanced collaboration is to improve climate financing inflows, strengthen Ghana’s preparedness for major global climate engagements and ensure coherent national positions in international climate governance.
