Seidu Issifu (L) with Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during the visit
Ghana is strengthening its climate leadership on the African continent through deliberate diplomatic engagement and coordinated government action aimed at sustainability and resilience.
This commitment was reaffirmed when the Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, paid a working visit to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as part of efforts to align national institutions and international partners around Ghana’s climate priorities.
The engagement forms part of a broader strategy by the newly established Office of the Minister of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability (OMSCCS) to coordinate climate action across government agencies, foreign missions, and development partners.
During the meeting, Issifu outlined the vision, mandate, and evolving agenda of his office, stressing that effective climate action requires multi-sectoral collaboration, strong international engagement, and strategic partnerships.
He highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial and Agency Technical Working Group made up of government institutions, civil society organisations, and the private sector to harmonise climate actions; plans to set up a National Climate and Sustainability Hub to centralise climate data, research, financing, and training; and efforts to institutionalise Climate Change and Sustainability Units across public agencies to mainstream climate policy into national planning.
Issifu also underscored the importance of leveraging Ghana’s diplomatic platforms, especially embassies and foreign missions—to promote the country’s climate interests and unlock new financing opportunities.
A key focus of the discussions was financing Ghana’s green transition. The Minister of State emphasised the potential of carbon credit markets as emerging revenue streams and called for debt relief initiatives to support African economies that are heavily indebted yet disproportionately affected by climate change.
He argued that flexible financing systems and debt forgiveness would create the fiscal space needed to scale up climate adaptation and mitigation programmes.
In response, Ablakwa commended Issifu’s leadership and praised the President’s decision to establish the OMSCCS. He noted that Ghana’s proactive approach has earned international recognition and pledged the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s full support.
The minister also described Issifu’s appointment to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) as a milestone that enhances Ghana’s credibility in global climate diplomacy.
Both ministers agreed on a structured roadmap to use Ghana’s embassies and diplomatic missions to amplify climate advocacy, financing, and partnerships. Priority areas identified include global climate representation, mobilisation of climate finance and technology, capacity-building through international collaborations, promotion of green investments, and support for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The strengthened partnership is expected to boost climate finance inflows, improve Ghana’s preparedness for major global climate engagements, and enhance the country’s visibility in international climate governance.
The working visit marks a significant step in aligning Ghana’s foreign policy with climate resilience and sustainability, firmly embedding environmental priorities into the nation’s diplomatic agenda.
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