The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Issifu Seidu, has noted that Ghana risks losing US$550 million to floods, drought, and other climate-related disasters by 2050.

According to him, a report by the World Bank revealed that Ghana suffered losses of US$195 million in 2020 due to similar environmental crises.

He made this known when a team from the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) paid a courtesy call on him on July 11, 2025.

The minister also highlighted growing vulnerabilities in the country’s health systems.

He cited the emergence of unfamiliar illnesses and the worsening of existing conditions due to rising temperatures, erratic weather, and deteriorating air and water quality.

He warned that 20 million Ghanaians could be exposed to severe heatwaves, with some regions approaching near-unlivable conditions within the coming decades.

Issifu Seidu called for stronger climate action, cross-sector collaboration, and accelerated investment in resilience infrastructure to avert future crises.

"According to the 2022 World Bank Country Climate Development Report, Ghana’s annual economic losses from droughts and floods could surge from US$195 million in 2020 to approximately US$550 million by 2050," he said.

The minister further said; "Our health systems are equally vulnerable. We are witnessing the emergence of unfamiliar illnesses and the aggravation of existing health challenges due to climate impacts. The same report warns that over 20 million Ghanaians could be exposed to severe heatwaves, with some regions facing near-unlivable conditions."

"These are not distant threats, they are present-day realities undermining our ability to produce food, safeguard public health, and sustain economic stability," he added.

Issifu Seidu also proposed that every government ministry should establish a Climate Change and Sustainability Unit, while district assemblies should be bound by this policy for effective monitoring and coordination.

In a related development, 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.



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