Ghana has called on African leaders to unite behind a bold push for $100 billion annually in climate adaptation and mitigation finance, warning that the continent cannot continue to shoulder the escalating impacts of climate change on its own.
The call was delivered in Nairobi by Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, at the African Leaders’ Meeting on Climate Adaptation, chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto.
Conveying warm greetings from President Mahama, Alhaji Issifu said the President “strongly aligns with the objectives of this critical meeting,” despite being unable to attend in person.
He warned that Africa is facing “unprecedented climate impacts such as droughts, floods and rising temperatures,” which are threatening lives, livelihoods and hard-won development gains across the continent.
Reflecting on outcomes from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the minister said Africa must “act decisively” to confront the climate crisis, stressing that climate adaptation is a development imperative rather than an optional priority.
He urged African countries to unlock high-impact opportunities for resilience-driven growth by leveraging climate finance, strengthening multilateral partnerships and engaging the private sector. In this regard, he described the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP 2.0) as “a beacon of hope,” calling on leaders to work collectively to secure firm financial commitments.
Alhaji Issifu said the call for financing was not theoretical, noting that adaptation negotiations at COP30 took a difficult turn. He criticised the revised Global Goal on Adaptation text, which reduced indicators from 100 to 59, describing the move as “widely viewed as a step backwards.”
Although parties eventually reached an agreement, he observed that the final text contained weak language on Loss and Damage, with no reference to the scale of needs or financing. He added that climate-finance discussions remained fragmented, while the proposed Article 9 work programme still failed to provide developing countries with a defined platform to address the delivery of public finance under the new goal.
According to him, the broader finance package remains insufficient to close the widening gap between Africa’s needs and actual delivery.
Turning to Ghana’s domestic efforts, Alhaji Issifu said the country is integrating climate resilience into national development planning, expanding green jobs and promoting sustainable growth.
“Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda prioritises green growth, renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure,” he said. “We are investing in solar, hydro and smart agriculture to power our future.”
However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including high costs, limited access to technology and unfair trade practices.
“This means that Ghana, and for that matter individual African countries, cannot do it alone,” he said. “We need peer and global support, fair financing and appropriate technology transfer.”
Highlighting Africa’s disproportionate burden, he noted that the continent contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, yet suffers some of the most severe climate impacts.
“This injustice must end,” he stressed. “We need fair, accessible climate finance — not debt, not aid, but partnership.”
He described AAAP 2.0 as a clear roadmap for building a climate-smart Africa but said its success depends on adequate resources.
“The AAAP 2.0 is our chance to leapfrog into a resilient future. Let us mobilise $100 billion annually for African adaptation and mitigation. Let us make climate action a catalyst for Africa’s industrialisation,” he said, urging development partners to match pledges with concrete action.
Calling for a strong communiqué from the meeting, Alhaji Issifu said Africa must send a clear message that its climate resilience is non-negotiable and that the time for action is urgent.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to continental and global climate action and appealed to young people to take the lead.
“To our youth, our future leaders: this is your moment. Engage, innovate and lead climate action in your communities,” he said.
“Ghana and Africa are ready to collaborate, co-create solutions and drive sustainable growth.”
source: ghanaweb
