Seidu Issifu with Italian Ambassador to Ghana Laura Ranalli
The Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, paid a working visit to the Embassy of Italy in Accra on February 24, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the government of Italy on climate action, sustainable development, and green innovation.
The visit formed part of ongoing engagements aimed at deepening diplomatic and development cooperation between the two countries, particularly in advancing climate action and sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations.
The minister and his delegation were received by Laura Ranalli, Ambassador of Italy to Ghana and Togo, who welcomed the team from the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss strategic areas of collaboration to support Ghana’s climate resilience agenda and broader sustainable development initiatives.
During the discussions, Seidu Issifu highlighted Ghana’s commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change through innovative policies, partnerships, and investments in sustainable industries.
He noted that his office is pursuing key initiatives, including the establishment of a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub to serve as a Centre of Excellence for research, capacity building, climate education, sustainable agriculture, and green industrial development.
These efforts are intended to support long-term environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth across both the public and private sectors.
The minister further indicated plans to establish Climate Change and Sustainability Units across sectoral institutions within all 265 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen grassroots-driven adaptation and resilience measures.
Issifu also noted the government’s interest in co-developing scalable climate projects aligned with the priorities of the Mattei Plan to support climate-resilient infrastructure development in Ghana.
The Mattei Plan, launched in January 2024 by the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, channels Italian state resources and private sector engagement across Africa into priority areas including sustainable agriculture, education and training, energy, health, climate resilience, and infrastructure.
In her remarks, Ambassador Laura Ranalli reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Ghana in areas such as climate education, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
She noted that the Italian Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has implemented recycling initiatives in the Bono Region and clean cooking programmes in parts of the Northern Region.
The ambassador further indicated that sixty-one (61) students from Aveyime in the Volta Region have benefited from scholarship support aimed at strengthening climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation capacity within their communities and among their peers.
She added that Italy continues to support climate and sustainability initiatives, particularly programmes that empower young people with climate knowledge and promote the energy transition in selected communities across Ghana.
Both parties explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration in climate-smart agriculture, technology transfer, and youth capacity development in climate innovation, with a focus on green skills, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption.
The minister underscored the importance of international partnerships in helping to bridge the climate finance gap and support the effective implementation of Ghana’s climate policies and programmes.
He expressed appreciation for Italy’s continued support and emphasized the value of deepening cooperation in areas such as green technology, research, and innovation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Italy through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and institutional partnerships aimed at promoting climate resilience and sustainable development.
