By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, July 30, GNA – Mr. Seidu Issifu, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, has paid a courtesy visit to Naa Bohagu Mahama Abdulai Sheriga, the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area.
This forms part of his ongoing regional tour aimed at deepening climate action and promoting sustainable development at the local level.
A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, said the visit formed part of the Minister’s engagements with key stakeholders as the government moved to establish climate change units within Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the capacity of local government structures to effectively coordinate climate-related programmes, respond to the growing impacts of climate change and mainstream climate considerations into local development planning.
The statement added that the courtesy visit also underscored the important role of traditional leadership in supporting national efforts to address climate change.
“Through their leadership and influence at the grassroots level, traditional authorities are expected to play a critical role in promoting environmental stewardship, encouraging sustainable land use practices and mobilising communities to participate actively in climate action,” it stressed.
During the visit, the Minister sought the blessings, guidance and support of the Paramount Chief and the traditional authority for the successful implementation of the climate change initiative.
He emphasised that the fight against climate change could not be left to government institutions alone, stressing the need for a collaborative approach involving traditional authorities, local government structures, communities, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
The Minister noted that traditional leaders remained important partners in Ghana’s development efforts due to their close connection with local communities and their influence in mobilising people towards collective action.
He called for stronger collaboration between the traditional authorities and the newly established climate change units to ensure that climate policies and interventions were effectively translated into practical actions at the community level.
Mr. Issifu highlighted the need for communities to become more resilient to the effects of climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, land degradation and other environmental challenges that continued to affect livelihoods and sustainable development.
He explained that the establishment of units at the MMDA level would provide a structured mechanism for identifying local climate vulnerabilities, coordinating adaptation and mitigation measures, promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring that communities were better prepared to respond to climate-related risks.
The Minister expressed appreciation to Naa Sheriga for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage with the traditional authorities on the government’s climate change and sustainability agenda.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders and other stakeholders to build climate-resilient communities and advance sustainable development across the country.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah