Nalerigu: 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.
According to Ghana News Agency, the visit was 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 programs, respond to the growing impacts of climate change, and incorporate climate considerations into local development planning.
The statement further highlighted the critical role of traditional leadership in supporting national efforts to address climate change. Traditional authorities, through their leadership and influence at the grassroots level, are expected to play a pivotal role in promoting environmental stewardship, encouraging sustainable land use practices, and mobilizing communities to actively participate in climate action.
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 emphasized the necessity of a collaborative approach involving traditional authorities, local government structures, communities, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders in the fight against climate change.
The Minister acknowledged the importance of traditional leaders in Ghana's development efforts due to their close connection with local communities and their influence in mobilizing people towards collective action. He called for stronger collaboration between traditional authorities and the newly established climate change units to ensure that climate policies and interventions are effectively translated into practical actions at the community level.
Mr. Issifu underscored 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 impacting 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 are 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.