Assemblies must lead Ghana’s climate response – Local Government Minister

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take a leading role in Ghana’s response to climate change, urging them to translate national commitments into practical results at the community level.

He said the effects of climate change, including flooding, drought, pressure on land and water resources, and threats to farming livelihoods, were being felt directly in districts, making local government institutions central to the country’s green transition.

Speaking at the Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, the Minister said climate considerations must be incorporated into the development plans and budgets of local assemblies.

“Much of that action will happen at the local level. It is in our districts that the effects of climate change are felt first,” he said.

He added that national commitments could only produce meaningful results if local authorities were equipped with the capacity and resources to implement climate policies effectively.

“Decentralising the green transition means mainstreaming climate and ESG considerations into the medium-term development plans and budgets of our Assemblies; strengthening the capacity of our Assemblies to plan, finance, deliver and report on climate action,” he said.

The Minister said his ministry would continue to collaborate with the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana and development partners to advance the agenda.

He also highlighted the role of traditional authorities in climate action, describing them as “essential partners” because of their position as custodians of land and natural resources.

The Minister further stressed the need to ensure that climate policies addressed the needs of vulnerable communities, women, young people and people whose livelihoods depended directly on the natural environment.

“A just and equitable transition must remain central to our development agenda, ensuring that the benefits of climate action are broadly shared and that no community is left behind,” he said.

He urged local government leaders to demonstrate commitment to climate action by ensuring that the decisions and recommendations emerging from the summit are translated into tangible improvements in their respective communities.