Ghana has renewed its call for intensified global collaboration on climate action, with Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Issifu Seidu, urging world leaders to adopt more coordinated and ambitious responses to the escalating climate crisis.
Speaking at the V20 Ministerial Dialogue held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., the Minister stressed that climate action must be treated as both a moral duty and an economic imperative.
Addressing finance ministers, senior government officials, and development partners, Seidu highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations like Ghana.
He noted that despite contributing minimally to global emissions, such countries continue to bear the brunt of climate-related shocks.
He pointed to increasing occurrences of droughts and floods, warning that these extreme weather events are eroding development gains and worsening poverty levels. According to him, Ghana aligns fully with the V20’s call for urgent, coordinated global action.
Call for Climate Finance and Debt Relief
Central to Ghana’s position is the need for expanded climate financing and innovative solutions to debt challenges. Seidu emphasised the importance of the V20–Development Finance Institutions Compact as a key mechanism to unlock funding while addressing fiscal constraints.
He commended partners such as the OPEC Fund for International Development and urged financial institutions to scale up concessional financing, extend repayment periods, and introduce climate-responsive debt instruments.
“These measures are essential to enabling developing countries to adapt to climate impacts and transition to low-carbon economies,” he stated.
Reaffirming Ghana’s climate commitments, Seidu underscored the country’s alignment with the Paris Agreement through its Nationally Determined Contributions. He highlighted methane reduction as a critical strategy in limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The Minister also acknowledged support from the Green Climate Fund, noting that such partnerships have contributed to Ghana’s renewable energy progress. However, he stressed that more sustained funding is needed to achieve the country’s target of generating 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
Push for Climate Justice and Inclusive Solutions
Seidu called for global climate policies to prioritise equity and justice, arguing that sustainable solutions must address the disproportionate burden faced by vulnerable countries.
He outlined key areas requiring urgent international support, including technology transfer, capacity building, climate-resilient infrastructure, and green industrialisation.
“Together, we can achieve prosperity, stability, and security in the face of planetary instability,” he concluded.
Reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to collective action, he expressed optimism about the role of strengthened partnerships in driving long-term resilience.
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