Savannah- The Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability has successfully held the Savannah Regional Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Change and Sustainability, bringing together key government institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to shape Ghana’s emerging climate governance architecture.
The consultation, held in Damongo, formed part of Government’s nationwide engagement to strengthen climate governance through inclusive stakeholder participation and decentralized climate action.
The programme was jointly led by the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Hon. Seidu Issifu, and the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, with participation from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Coordinating Directors, Planning Officers, technical officers, representatives of the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM), and other key stakeholders.
Building Ghana’s Climate Governance Architecture
The Savannah Regional Consultation forms part of a national initiative to strengthen Ghana’s institutional framework for climate governance through stakeholder consultation, awareness creation and capacity building.
The engagement seeks to gather stakeholder inputs that will inform the establishment of a National Climate Change and Sustainability Hub (CCSH) and Climate Change and Sustainability Units (CCSUs) within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The recommendations from the regional consultations will contribute to the preparation of a Cabinet Memorandum aimed at institutionalising these structures to coordinate climate action across all levels of government.
Technical Presentations Drive Meaningful Dialogue
A major highlight of the consultation was a series of technical presentations designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools required to mainstream climate action into regional and local development planning.
Participants received presentations on:
* The proposed National Climate Change and Sustainability Hub (CCSH) and Climate Change and Sustainability Units (CCSUs) and their role in strengthening climate governance.
* Ghana’s climate change laws, policies, frameworks and national commitments.
* The Ghana Climate Atlas, presented by the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), demonstrating the importance of climate data in evidence-based planning and decision-making.
* Climate Mobility, presented by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM), highlighting the growing relationship between climate change, human mobility, livelihoods and community resilience.
The presentations stimulated productive discussions, with participants sharing regional experiences, identifying climate-related challenges, and proposing practical recommendations to strengthen climate resilience across the Savannah Region.
Climate Action Must Be Localised
Addressing participants, Hon. Seidu Issifu underscored the need to build strong local institutions capable of responding to the increasing impacts of climate change.
“Climate governance must be rooted where climate impacts are most felt—within our districts and communities. Through the proposed Climate Change and Sustainability Hub and the Climate Change and Sustainability Units, we are creating the institutional foundation to coordinate climate action, unlock climate finance, and empower local authorities to build resilient and sustainable communities.”
The Minister further stressed that the consultations represent a significant step towards ensuring that national climate policies are informed by local realities and supported through broad stakeholder ownership.
Savannah Region Commits to Climate Leadership
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the region’s commitment to partnering with the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability to implement climate-smart development interventions.
“The Savannah Region stands ready to champion climate action through strong collaboration among our Regional Coordinating Council, MMDAs, traditional authorities and development partners. These consultations provide an important platform to ensure that our regional priorities are reflected in Ghana’s climate governance framework while strengthening resilience and sustainable development across our communities.”
He encouraged all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to actively participate in implementing the proposed climate governance structures once established.
Strong Stakeholder Participation
The consultation was well attended by representatives from Regional Coordinating Councils, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, government agencies, development partners, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Participants welcomed the proposed institutional reforms and emphasized the need for sustained technical support, stronger institutional coordination, enhanced capacity building and improved access to climate finance to enable local authorities effectively respond to climate challenges.
Towards a Climate-Resilient Ghana
The successful Savannah Regional Stakeholder Consultation marks another important milestone in Ghana’s efforts to establish an inclusive, science-based and decentralized climate governance system.
The outcomes of the consultation will contribute to strengthening institutional coordination, improving climate planning at national and local levels, enhancing access to climate finance, and accelerating the implementation of Ghana’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Sustainable Development Goals.
As Government continues the nationwide consultations, the Savannah Region has demonstrated its readiness to play a leading role in building a resilient, sustainable and climate-smart future for Ghana.
Cedric Dzelu
Technical Director
Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
