Report By: Ishmael Barfi
In a move to boost capacity in climate finance among civil society organizations (CSOs) in Northern Ghana, the first-ever CSO Climate Finance Forum took place in Tamale on Thursday, 12th March 2026, with over 70 CSOs participating.
These groups representing regions such as Northern, Savannah, North -East, and Upper West, gathered at the event co- organized by the Center for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD Ghana) and the Strengthening Investments in Gender Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA Project – Cowater International and the Government of Canada.
Esther Nyamekye Opoku, Team Lead at Center for Opportunities and Rural Development-Ghana (CORD Ghana), emphasized the critical role of gender-responsive climate adaptation, drawing attention to how climate change affects women disproportionately.
“Most of the time when we talk about climate adaptation, we forget the women who are most vulnerable,” she remarked, highlighting issues like water access and family support during crises.
The workshop centred on enabling CSOs, women led SMEs to access climate finance grants and develop sustainable funding models. Notable speakers such as Professor Hamdiyah Alhassan Director KTCSR -UDS, Dr. Suhiyini Issah Alhassan(Research Associate WACSIR -UDS) and Mad. Alia Mumuni (Action Aid) shared insights, success stories, and grant procurement strategies in accessing Climate Finance facilities.
Participants explored social enterprise models—like producing briquettes and organic products—to foster revenue and community development.
Lauren Intven, SIGRA Team Lead, detailed the support from the Government of Canada, including climate finance tracking with the Ministry of Finance at sub-national levels and integrating climate and gender considerations into planning and budgeting with NDPC.
SIGRA is also disbursing grants to five MDAs and MMDAs, collaborating with CSOs to test and refine implementation. “We work with the MDAs and their civil society partners throughout the process,” she explained.
Intven shared that SIGRA has carried out vulnerability assessments, gender analyses, and co-designed projects with CSOs to address climate challenges. “We conducted vulnerability assessments, gender analyses, designed projects with them, and are now implementing to understand existing challenges and future solutions,” she stated.
Additionally, SIGRA emphasizes capacity building and advocacy for women-led and climate-focused CSOs by providing tools for effective lobbying in planning and budgeting.
Intven pointed out that funding is a significant obstacle for CSOs. “They all say they have the capacity and can do it. The real issue is funding,” she asserted, calling for efforts that link CSOs with funding sources and furnish them with the requisite tools and ideas.
Esther Nyamekye Opoku encouraged CSOs to coordinate efforts and pool resources, saying, “Let’s be CSOs together… to see how we can leverage each other’s structures to secure funding and support communities.” With donor funding waning, participants stressed the importance of diversifying income streams.
The Center for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD Ghana) is exploring partnerships with women’s groups to produce sustainable products and boost revenue for community support.
The workshop served as a vital platform for CSOs to discuss climate finance and sustainable development, underscoring the value of collaboration and innovative funding approaches.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
