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The Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA) has pledged to work closely with Ghana’s newly created Ministry for Climate Change and Sustainability to tackle the country’s growing climate challenges.
A delegation from the Centre, led by its Global Lead, Samuel A. Jinapor, Member of Parliament and a well-known climate advocate, paid a courtesy call on the ministry in Accra. The team commended the government for creating a dedicated ministry to focus solely on climate change and sustainability, describing it as a bold step.
Mr. Jinapor said the Centre was committed to supporting Ghana in advancing nature-based solutions and policy advocacy that would accelerate climate action. He stressed that climate change requires strong leadership and collaboration at both local and international levels.
“The establishment of a dedicated ministry for climate change is a bold and necessary step for Ghana,” he said. “We at AC4NCA pledge our full support because the fight against climate change requires strong leadership and effective collaboration.”
The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Hon. Issifu Seidu, welcomed the gesture and promised that the ministry would work hand in hand with civil society groups and development partners to strengthen Ghana’s climate response.
He announced that the ministry would collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to set up Climate and Sustainability Desks at the local government level. These desks will serve as focal points for climate initiatives and awareness campaigns across communities in the country.
“Effective collaboration is key,” Hon. Seidu said. “We are committed to partnering with non-state actors, particularly civil society organizations, to strengthen Ghana’s climate response.”
The minister highlighted the financial risks Ghana faces from climate-related disasters. According to him, Ghana lost an estimated US$195 million in 2020 alone to floods and droughts. Projections suggest that by 2050, the country could be losing as much as US$550 million every year if urgent measures are not taken.
Hon. Seidu also stressed the need for climate debt forgiveness and called for it to be pushed as a collective African demand. He noted that Ghana must develop a strong national voice on climate issues that can align with Africa’s common position in global climate negotiations.
“We cannot continue to bear the burden of climate losses while developed nations that contribute more to emissions fail to do their part. We need a unified African voice to press for climate debt forgiveness and stronger international support,” he said.
Veteran journalist and AC4NCA board member, Mr. Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, also attended the meeting and underlined the importance of effective communication in shaping climate action. He said advocacy remains a core pillar of the Centre’s work, particularly in helping ordinary citizens understand how climate change affects their daily lives.
“A lot of climate change advocacy is based on effective communication so that our various stakeholders can understand why this is important to their livelihoods,” Mr. Sakyi-Addo said.
He added that nature-based solutions remain one of the most efficient, practical, and cost-effective ways of addressing climate change across Africa.
The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to build a long-term partnership that would help Ghana and Africa position themselves as global leaders in nature-based climate action. The collaboration is expected to focus on policy, advocacy, and financing options while also pushing for Africa’s climate realities to be properly communicated on the international stage.
