By Laudia Sawer
Tema, July 25, GNA – Eight Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have pledged to accelerate the implementation of their climate adaptation plans to strengthen resilience against flooding, coastal erosion and other climate-related threats affecting communities across Ghana.
The commitment was made at the end of a two-day Urban Adaptation Implementation Accelerator Exchange organised by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) and hosted by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).
The workshop brought together Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and technical officers from Tema, Sekondi-Takoradi, Cape Coast, Keta, Akatsi North, Nanumba South, Kumbungu and Mion.
The meeting took place amid recent devastating floods in the Greater Accra Region, which claimed lives, displaced hundreds of families and submerged roads, homes and businesses, highlighting the need to translate climate plans into concrete interventions.
Participants observed that although all eight assemblies had completed Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessments and developed Local Adaptation Plans, the next priority was to mobilise financing and implement projects to reduce communities’ vulnerability to climate-related risks.
During the workshop, participants shared experiences on local climate initiatives and developed project concepts that could be supported through municipal resources and external funding opportunities.
The MMDCEs also held a political leadership dialogue on strengthening local climate governance, improving public communication on climate risks and mobilising support for adaptation initiatives.
The workshop ended with a call for stronger collaboration among local and national governments, development partners and citizens to ensure climate adaptation projects progressed from planning to implementation.
Madam Ebi Bright, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said collaboration among local authorities was critical to attracting climate financing.
She said climate funding would increasingly be directed to assemblies that demonstrated well-prepared and evidence-based proposals, adding that platforms such as CoM SSA enabled cities to strengthen their capacity to access such financing.
Mr Frederick F. Faidoo, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, said many cities were facing similar infrastructure challenges arising from climate change and rapid urbanisation.
He said the exchange provided opportunities for assemblies to learn from one another and adopt practical solutions that had proved effective elsewhere.
Mr George Justice Arthur, Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the workshop would help participating assemblies translate climate assessments into budgeted projects while strengthening accountability in the implementation of adaptation plans.
Mr Bless Kodjo Katamani, Akatsi North District Chief Executive, said the initiative offered smaller districts opportunities to build partnerships and attract support needed to implement adaptation projects that would improve livelihoods.
Mr Shea O’Neil, Component Leader of CoM SSA, said the recent floods in Greater Accra should serve as a warning of the growing climate risks confronting cities across the country.
He said the exchange was designed to help assemblies move beyond climate planning by sharing knowledge, strengthening collaboration and supporting the implementation of adaptation projects that addressed local priorities.
CoM SSA said it continued to support African cities in advancing climate adaptation, mitigation and sustainable energy initiatives through technical assistance and partnerships.
The workshop received support from the Strengthening Investments in Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the C40 Cities Finance Facility (C40 CFF).
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Email: [email protected]