Evans Obiri-Appiah
Ghana’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, has highlighted carbon markets and green finance as new frontiers for the country’s economic transformation through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
Speaking as Guest of Honour at the Africa Climate Dialogue in Accra, Seidu said the government views nature as a “strategic pillar for sustainable national development,” capable of generating green jobs, restoring ecosystems, and opening investment opportunities.
“Nature-Based Solutions open up new frontiers for carbon markets and green finance opportunities that can significantly strengthen both our national economy and Ghana’s collective climate ambition,” the Minister stated.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to integrating NbS into national development and climate frameworks, citing interventions such as large-scale tree planting, climate-smart agriculture, and watershed restoration; initiatives designed to enhance ecosystem resilience while improving livelihoods.
“Nature is not merely a passive victim of climate change; it is an active part of the solution,” Hon. Seidu added. “Our goal is to work with nature, not against it.”
Board Chair of the Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA), Joyce R. Aryee, applauded the government’s commitment and called for stronger collaboration across sectors to advance Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Africa.
“Nature-based solutions are the most cost-effective and practical pathway to environmental protection, social and economic progress,” Aryee said. “By valuing and investing in nature, we secure not only our environment but also our future prosperity.”
She added that the continent’s natural resources, from forests to coastlines, offer immense potential for climate adaptation and inclusive growth if properly harnessed through coordinated policy and investment.
Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission Hugh Brown, also addressed the Dialogue, stressing that illegal mining and logging remain the biggest threats to Ghana’s forest reserves. He underscored the need for sustainable financing and stronger multi-sector collaboration to scale up Nature-Based Solutions, calling for the integration of mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) into national policy.
“Deployment of Nature-Based Solutions is a vital pathway to achieving Ghana’s sustainable development goals,” Brown said, urging collective action to protect Ghana’s forests and sustain the country’s progress toward a green and resilient future.
The Africa Climate Dialogue, hosted by the Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action under the theme “Harnessing Nature-Based Solutions: A Pathway to Sustainable National Development,” brought together government officials, diplomats, researchers, and civil society leaders to explore how African nations can embed nature-based approaches in policy, finance, and planning.