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The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take the lead in Ghana’s fight against climate change by translating national policies into practical action at the community level.
He said the effects of climate change, including flooding, drought, pressure on land and water resources, and threats to agricultural livelihoods, were increasingly being felt at the district level, making local authorities critical to the country’s green transition.
Speaking at the Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, the Minister called for climate action to be incorporated into the development plans and budgets of local assemblies.
“Much of that action will happen at the local level. It is in our districts that the effects of climate change are felt first,” he said.
The Minister noted that decentralising the green transition would require strengthening the capacity of assemblies to plan, finance, implement and monitor climate initiatives. He also called for improved coordination between national institutions and local government authorities.
He said the ministry would continue working with the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and development partners to advance the climate agenda.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of traditional authorities in climate action, describing them as key partners because of their role as custodians of land and natural resources.
He further stressed the need for climate policies to address the concerns of vulnerable communities, women, young people and those whose livelihoods depend on the natural environment.
According to him, a just and equitable green transition must ensure that the benefits of climate action are shared broadly, with no community left behind.
The Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026 brought together government officials, local government leaders, private sector representatives, development partners and civil society organisations to discuss policies and strategies for strengthening climate resilience and promoting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in Ghana.
Source: Omanghana
