Ghana has called on African leaders to unite behind an ambitious push for $100 billion in annual climate adaptation and mitigation funding, warning that the continent cannot bear the growing impacts of climate change on its own.
Delivering the message in Nairobi on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the African Leaders’ Meeting on Climate Adaptation, chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu, conveyed the President’s strong support for the meeting’s objectives despite his inability to attend.
Alhaji Issifu highlighted Africa’s escalating climate challenges, including droughts, floods and rising temperatures, which threaten lives, livelihoods, and developmental progress. Referencing the outcomes of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, he stressed that the continent must “act decisively” to confront the climate crisis. He emphasized that climate adaptation is a development necessity, not an optional measure.
He urged African states to seize “high-impact opportunities for resilience-driven growth” by leveraging climate finance, multilateral partnerships, and private-sector engagement. He also described the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP2.0) as a “beacon of hope” and called on leaders to collectively secure firm financial commitments.
Criticizing developments at COP30, Alhaji Issifu noted that the revised Global Goal on Adaptation reduced key indicators from 100 to 59, which many viewed as a step backward. He highlighted weak language on Loss and Damage, fragmented climate-finance discussions, and insufficient frameworks for delivering public finance to developing countries.
On domestic efforts, he said Ghana is integrating climate resilience into national development plans, expanding green-job opportunities, and advancing its 24-hour economy agenda focused on sustainability, renewable energy, and smart agriculture. Yet, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including high costs, limited technology access, and unfair trade practices, stressing that “Ghana and African countries cannot do it alone.”
Alhaji Issifu underscored Africa’s disproportionate climate burden, contributing less than 4% of global emissions while suffering the most severe impacts. He called for fair, accessible climate finance framed as partnership rather than debt or aid.
He concluded by urging leaders to mobilize $100 billion annually for African adaptation and mitigation, positioning climate action as a catalyst for the continent’s industrialization. He encouraged youth engagement, innovation, and leadership in climate action, reaffirming Ghana and Africa’s readiness to collaborate and co-create sustainable solutions.
“The AAAP2.0 is our chance to leapfrog into a resilient future. Africa’s climate resilience is non-negotiable, and the time for action is urgent,” he said, calling for a bold and actionable communiqué from the meeting.