The Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, as part of his Northern Ghana tour, has paid a courtesy visit to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

The visit forms part of government’s efforts to strengthen climate governance at the local level.

The engagement focused on plans to establish Climate Change and Sustainability Units in all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The units will coordinate local climate action, support climate-resilient development, improve environmental planning, and enhance community preparedness for the impacts of climate change.

The initiative aligns with government’s broader agenda to mainstream climate action across all levels of governance.

During discussions with officials of the Regional Coordinating Council, Seidu Issifu stressed the importance of collaboration between central government, regional authorities, and local assemblies in addressing climate challenges, including floods, droughts, land degradation, and waste management.

He urged the RCC to support the successful establishment and operationalisation of the Climate Change and Sustainability Units across the region.

The Minister also encouraged the assembly to take advantage of emerging climate finance opportunities as a means of supplementing government’s budgetary allocations for climate action, particularly to support vulnerable groups, including women in rural communities.

The Director of the RCC, Poagnaa Fati Koray, welcomed the initiative and pledged the support of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council to work closely with the Minister to build resilient communities and promote sustainable development in the region.

Following his engagements in the Upper West Region, Seidu Issifu will continue his Northern Ghana tour with visits to the Savannah, Upper East, and North East Regions.

The tour will conclude in the Northern Region, where he will hold similar engagements with Regional Coordinating Councils, MMDAs, and other key stakeholders to advance government’s agenda of strengthening climate governance, promoting climate-resilient development, and establishing Climate Change and Sustainability Units across all local authorities.