At the Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga urged the country to move beyond policy pledges and implement tangible actions on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
He stressed that integrating ESG considerations into national policies, institutional practices and private‑sector operations is a strategic imperative, not merely a compliance exercise. The minister highlighted the need for stronger institutional coordination, mobilisation of sustainable finance and meaningful partnerships with the private sector, development partners, academia and civil society.
Ayariga underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, institutional capacity and reliable data. "Public and private institutions alike must be encouraged to adopt credible sustainability practices, strengthen environmental and social risk management, and report their progress against clearly defined standards and measurable indicators," he said.
The summit, which brought together government officials, local government leaders, private‑sector representatives, development partners and civil‑society organisations, aimed to strengthen climate resilience and promote ESG principles across Ghana’s economy. The minister welcomed the plan for the event to conclude with a National Communiqué and pledged his ministry would work with local assemblies to advance the recommendations.
He urged participants to ensure the summit produced concrete policy recommendations, institutional commitments and actionable strategies rather than ending with discussion alone. "This Summit must therefore serve as more than a forum for discussion. It must be a catalyst for concrete policy recommendations, institutional commitments and actionable strategies," he added.
