The Ghanaian government has secured a $7 million grant from the Green Climate Fund to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers and communities in the northern part of the country. The project, to be rolled out over seven years across eight districts, will focus on climate‑resilient agriculture, improved early warning systems and greater access to climate finance for vulnerable communities.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman‑Rawlings, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, announced the initiative during a press briefing, with Deputy Director of Administration Ruth Dzokoto reading the statement on her behalf. She said the programme was designed to address challenges identified during the ministry’s engagement with local communities.
“Climate change is consistently identified not simply as an environmental issue but as a development and livelihood issue affecting agriculture, water resources, infrastructure, livelihoods and local economic growth,” the minister said. She added that local authorities understood the challenges facing their communities but often lacked the technical capacity, institutional support and predictable financing needed to develop practical solutions.
The Environmental Protection Agency secured the funding and will work with district authorities to strengthen climate adaptation planning and budgeting. The project will also improve access to climate information and early warning systems, support climate‑resilient agriculture, and promote ecosystem‑based adaptation.
Dr Agyeman‑Rawlings called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, local authorities, development partners and communities to ensure that climate interventions translate into practical improvements in livelihoods. She stressed that coordinated action is critical to addressing the growing impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and building more resilient local economies.
The project is expected to enhance community knowledge and participation in climate adaptation efforts, while facilitating access to finance for climate‑adaptation projects at the district level.
