Ghana will push for increased, predictable and accessible climate financing at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to enable developing countries to respond effectively to the growing impact of climate change.
The country would particularly seek greater investment in climate-resilient agriculture, coastal protection, water management, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure, while advocating stronger adaptation measures, technology transfer and capacity development.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, made this known when she addressed a press conference last Friday (October 30) to officially unveil the country’s preparations and strategic priorities for COP31, scheduled for Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
“We must ensure that developing countries have the necessary resources to address climate impacts and implement their climate commitments,” she stated.
Black Star Position
Also at the press conference, was the unveiling of the country’s “Black Star Position Document”, which articulates the country’s positions across the various thematic areas of climate negotiations and will guide its lead negotiators at the conference.
Prof. Klutse said the nation would advocate a just and inclusive energy transition that recognised the country’s energy needs, industrialisation ambitions and the imperative to create decent jobs.
She said the country’s negotiations would extend beyond its national interests as the country works with the African Group of Negotiators to advance common priorities and equitable climate outcomes for a continent that contributed relatively little to global emissions but remained disproportionately vulnerable to climate change.
Negotiating capacity, Private support
The Coordinator of the Ghana National Roster of Experts on Climate Negotiations, Kassim Hussein, said the Black Star Position would ensure the country’s interventions were coordinated, consistent and anchored in national development priorities.
He announced that the EPA would introduce a National COP Negotiators Programme next year to train negotiators, strengthen institutional memory and develop a sustainable pool of technical expertise.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Jospong Group of Companies, Sophia Kudjordji, presented $50,000 to the government to support the company’s COP31 efforts.
She said the company remained ready to partner with the government and expressed appreciation that the private sector continued to be included in the country’s participation in international climate engagements.
International cooperation
Australia’s High Commissioner-designate to Ghana, Keara Shaw, said international cooperation was indispensable because climate change, although experienced locally, could not be solved by individual countries.
She said Australia, as President of the COP31 negotiations, would prioritise the 1.5°C goal, energy transition, ocean-climate action and translating commitments into implementation, while recognising the importance of Africa’s voice in negotiations.
The Turkish Ambassador, in a speech read on his behalf, said Türkiye, as COP31 President, wanted the conference to become an implementation milestone by translating global climate targets into tangible outcomes.
He said the presidency’s action agenda would focus on areas including climate-resilient cities, food security, resilient health systems, clean energy, industrialisation, zero waste, methane reduction and youth education, while supporting Africa’s adaptation and resilience efforts.
