Ghana’s Climate Minister Calls for Stronger Advocacy on Climate Change
The Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Baba Seidu Issifu, has emphasized the need for increased advocacy, education, and sensitization on climate change among Ghanaians. He believes that while climate change has natural causes, human behavior significantly contributes to its impact.
Speaking to a delegation from the University of Ghana led by Provost Prof. Gordon Awandare, the minister highlighted the importance of behavioral change in addressing climate challenges. He pointed out that activities such as bush burning for hunting remain widespread in rural communities, with little awareness of their consequences.
“We will all agree that the world is all about sustainability and actions from climate change. I feel that climate change is a behavioral issue even though we have natural factors that may lead to it. This is a novelty in Ghana for the president to have a minister of state to champion this,” Seidu Issifu stated.
Having assumed office on February 17, 2025, the minister commended President John Mahama’s vision in establishing the new ministry, calling it a step in the right direction. He assured that the ministry would work to ensure the full realization of the president’s goals, including the potential enactment of biodiversity conservation laws.
During the meeting, Prof. Chris Gordon, Founding Director of the Institute for Environmental and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, expressed concern over the severe impact of the ongoing heat wave on productivity and public health. He noted that research has linked extreme heat to reduced work efficiency, fatigue, and sleep deprivation.
“The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET) tells us that the number of hot nights has increased, and these hot nights affect people’s ability to sleep and rest. Climate change also increases mosquito activity; when it’s warmer, they bite more,” he explained.
Prof. Gordon further highlighted that rising temperatures, often exceeding 35°C, create unbearable living conditions, particularly in densely populated settlements with metal-roofed structures, where multiple people share small rooms.
As Ghana intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, the new ministry is expected to drive nationwide awareness and policy initiatives aimed at fostering environmental sustainability and resilience.