The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Issifu Seidu, has called on African climate negotiators to advocate for a climate debt-forgiveness mechanism, stating that it is essential to help vulnerable countries across the continent build long-term resilience against climate change.

Speaking during an engagement with the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) on Friday, July 11, 2025, the minister stressed the need to address the financial burdens that prevent African nations from effectively responding to environmental challenges.

"As the African group of negotiators, we need to incorporate this into our discussions. We must champion a climate debt-forgiveness mechanism for vulnerable African countries. Every year, there are funds allocated to African nations but proposals are required to access them," he stated.

The minister urged AGNES to integrate the debt-forgiveness agenda into their official climate negotiations.

He argued that true climate resilience can only be achieved if nations are freed from unsustainable debt obligations.

"We must find a way to build internal resilience. We can only do this if these debts are forgiven, allowing the funds that would otherwise service debt to be used instead for adaptation and internal resilience-building in response to climate change. The African group of negotiators must commit to this so we can champion the debt-forgiveness mechanism," he added.

He emphasised that without such a mechanism, African nations would continue borrowing, deepening poverty across the continent.

The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), a not-for-profit think tank, seeks to facilitate the exchange of ideas between experts and negotiators at the international level, particularly within the framework of the UNFCCC.

Dr George Wamukoya, Group Leader of AGNES, announced that Ghana has been selected as the incoming chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) for 2026–2027.

He confirmed that the rotational leadership will pass from Eastern Africa to West Africa at the end of 2025, with Ghana nominated to lead the continent’s delegation in international climate negotiations.

"When we were in Bonn, it was announced within our group that West Africa had chosen Ghana to be the new chair. We are hopeful that under the leadership of the minister, the Ghana delegation will lead Africa for the next two years," he said.

Dr Wamukoya also announced the formation of the African Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change, which brings together legislators and committee chairs from across the continent whose portfolios influence climate policy.

The network includes representatives from parliamentary caucuses working on related issues.

He said the initiative aims to develop a modern climate change legal framework for Africa, targeting countries yet to enact comprehensive legislation.

The proposed framework will promote harmonised and actionable laws that advance climate resilience, environmental governance, and sustainable development.

SP/MA

Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe