The Climate Governance Series Ghana Report, published by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) in August 2021, offers a comprehensive analysis of Ghana's climate governance framework. This report evaluates the country’s readiness to transition to a zero-emissions society, focusing on political commitment, institutional frameworks, policy processes, and stakeholder engagement. The findings underscore both achievements and challenges in Ghana’s journey toward sustainable development.
Political Commitment: Mixed Messages on Climate Action
The report highlights the Ghanaian government’s moderate commitment to climate action. While President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized climate resilience at international forums, domestic speeches and policies often lack strong climate mitigation ambitions.
Key Observations:
Ghana’s two-party political system ensures a baseline recognition of climate action, but ambitious mitigation measures are not central to party agendas.
The government’s support for fossil fuel extraction, such as offshore oil and gas, contrasts with its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The report recommends anchoring climate targets in law to ensure continuity across administrations and sending clear signals to prioritize a zero-emissions future.
Institutional Framework: Strengths and Gaps
Ghana has a robust institutional structure to coordinate climate action, with key agencies like the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the helm.
Strengths:
National Climate Change Committee (NCCC): A multi-sectoral body overseeing climate policy implementation.
Ministry of Finance’s Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NREC) Unit: Plays a pivotal role in managing climate finance.
Challenges:
Weak coordination between national and sub-national levels hampers effective policy implementation.
Limited resources at the local government level constrain the integration of climate actions into development plans.
The report calls for improved coordination mechanisms and targeted capacity-building to address these gaps.
Policy Processes: Need for Long-Term Vision
Ghana’s policy framework, including the 2013 National Climate Change Policy and the 2016 Low Carbon Development Strategy, focuses on short- to medium-term goals. However, the absence of a long-term decarbonization strategy limits alignment with the Paris Agreement’s objectives.
Recommendations:
Develop comprehensive climate legislation covering all sectors.
Establish a long-term emissions reduction target compatible with the 1.5°C goal.
Upgrade the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system to enhance transparency and accountability.
Stakeholder Engagement: Progress and Opportunities
The report commends Ghana’s efforts to engage stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, in climate policy development. Initiatives such as climate education in primary schools and the Private Sector Engagement Strategy for the National Adaptation Plan demonstrate progress.
Areas for Improvement:
Only 21% of Ghanaians are aware of climate change and its impacts, highlighting the need for broader public education campaigns.
A formal framework for ensuring a Just Transition is still lacking, though preliminary steps have been taken.
Recommendations for the Way Forward
The CAT report outlines actionable steps to enhance Ghana’s climate governance:
Strengthen Political Will: Explicitly prioritize climate mitigation and adaptation in government agendas.
Enhance Coordination: Streamline collaboration across ministries, agencies, and local governments.
Mobilize Resources: Address barriers to accessing international climate finance and allocate resources effectively.
Engage Stakeholders: Scale up public awareness campaigns and establish mechanisms for meaningful stakeholder participation.
Adopt Long-Term Planning: Develop a comprehensive strategy with binding targets to achieve net-zero emissions.
Conclusion
The Climate Governance Series Ghana Report, produced by Climate Action Tracker, sheds light on Ghana’s climate governance landscape, highlighting both its strengths and areas for improvement. As the country continues its journey toward a sustainable future, the recommendations in this report provide a clear roadmap for achieving its climate goals.
By addressing these challenges and leveraging its institutional strengths, Ghana can position itself as a leader in climate action, setting an example for other developing nations.
Cedric Dzelu
Executive Director
Frontline for Climate Action
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