By Issah Mohammed, GNA
Accra, Oct. 1, GNA – Pentecost University will host the third International Conference on Environmental, Social Governance and Sustainable Development of Africa (ICESDA 2026) from October 22 to 23.
The conference, organised by Green Communities International in collaboration with the university, is expected to attract about 700 delegates from more than 15 countries to discuss environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and sustainable development.
Professor De-Graft Owusu-Manu, President of Green Communities International and Chair of the International Organising Committee at the media launch said the conference would address the need for African countries to strengthen their capacity to meet ESG requirements while pursuing sustainable economic growth.
He said many standards used to assess environmental and social performance were developed outside Africa and might not adequately reflect the continent’s economic conditions.
Prof. Owusu-Manu said the conference would enable stakeholders to examine the implications of ESG standards for African businesses and explore approaches aligned with the continent’s development priorities.
Prof. Douglas Boateng, Board Chairman of Green Communities International, said companies unable to demonstrate compliance with sustainability requirements could face difficulties accessing international markets.
He said international buyers increasingly required information on carbon emissions, water use, labour practices and traceability.
“When a Ghanaian firm loses a contract because it cannot evidence a standard it in fact meets, that is job loss,” he said.
Prof. Boateng called for stronger African capacity to measure ESG performance and greater participation by African stakeholders in developing sustainability standards.
Themed, “The Africa We Want: Driving Transformational and Inclusive Green Growth through ESGs and Digitalisation,” the conference will focus on the built environment, agriculture and agribusiness, energy and green transition, digital infrastructure, and business and financial systems.
Prof. Kofi Busia, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University, said the conference would connect academic research with policy and practical solutions.
He cited illegal artisanal mining as an issue requiring an integrated approach involving environmental protection, livelihoods, economic opportunities, regulation, governance and community participation.
Apostle Prof.Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey, Chair of the Local Organising Committee, said six panel workshops would be held on the first day, followed by syndicate workshops on the second day to develop proposals.
The conference will be preceded by a pre-doctoral conference on October 21, featuring keynote addresses, doctoral research presentations and a masterclass on academic publishing.
The organisers said the conference would produce outputs from 12 working sessions, a communiqué and a policy brief.
ICESDA is the third conference organised by Green Communities International, following editions held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2024 and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2025.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
1 Oct. 2026
Reporter: Issah Mohammed