A GNA feature by Daniel Adu Darko
Accra, April 4, GNA- As the effects of climate change intensify globally, the concept of climate justice has emerged as a crucial lens through which environmental action is being framed, particularly in vulnerable regions like Ghana.
While climate change is a global crisis, its impacts are not distributed equally, and Ghana stands at a unique intersection of environmental vulnerability, economic disparity, and social injustice.
From the coastal communities facing rising sea levels to the farmers in the northern regions grappling with erratic rainfall patterns, the climate crisis in Ghana is not just an environmental issue but a profound social and economic one.
The Unequal Burden
Ghana contributes a relatively small fraction to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it bears a disproportionate brunt of the impact. Coastal towns such as Keta and Ada have experienced severe tidal waves and flooding, displaced families, and destroyed livelihoods.
In the north, desertification and prolonged droughts have led to food insecurity and migration pressures.
Women, children, and the poor are the most affected. For instance, in agrarian communities, women, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, often suffer economic losses when climate patterns disrupt farming cycles. With limited access to land rights, credit, and education, their ability to recover and adapt remains minimal.
The Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agri Impact Limited, Mrs Juliana Asante-Dartey, has called for concrete budgetary provisions to support young women and persons with disabilities in agribusiness.
Speaking at Aglow Processing Factory in Potsin during the commemoration of International Women’s Day, Mrs Asante-Dartey emphasized the need for government, civil society organizations, and development partners to invest in women’s empowerment in agribusiness.
“It is not enough to just say women are important or to ensure they are represented. We need to provide tangible support and budgetary allocations to address challenges such as access to land, affordable financing, and training,” she stated.
Climate Justice: What It Means for Ghana
Climate justice emphasizes that the solutions to climate change must also address social inequities. It calls for fairness in how the burdens and benefits of climate change and its solutions are distributed. In Ghana, this means ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind in the transition to a green economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and civil society groups have been leading awareness campaigns and adaptation projects. Local NGOs like the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) are pushing for policies that incorporate justice and equity into climate action.
Their advocacy includes calls for renewable energy investment that creates jobs for youth, community-led adaptation projects, and the protection of indigenous lands from exploitation.
Government Policy and International Support
The Government of Ghana has integrated climate resilience into its national development agenda. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement reflect Ghana’s commitment to reducing emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity.
However, experts argue that without strong enforcement mechanisms and funding, these policies remain largely aspirational.
International climate finance is therefore crucial. Ghana has benefitted from the Green Climate Fund and other climate-related funding mechanisms, but the flow of resources is often slow and bureaucratic. Ensuring that such funds reach the grassroots, especially women and youth-led initiatives, is key to achieving real climate justice.
The Way Forward
To advance climate justice in Ghana, there is a need for:
Inclusive policymaking that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities.
Decentralized adaptation efforts allow communities to design solutions based on their local realities.
Public education and media engagement to raise awareness about the human face of climate change.
Strengthened accountability mechanisms to monitor the use of climate funds and the implementation of climate actions.
Climate justice in Ghana is about more than survival; it is about dignity, equity, and the right to a sustainable future. As the country strides toward development, integrating justice into climate action is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity.
GNA
CA/
Daniel Adu Darko is a journalist and digital storyteller with the Ghana News Agency, focused on climate, gender, and public health issues.