Government officials, regulators, local government leaders, financial institutions, businesses and development partners have adopted a National Communiqué outlining shared priorities for climate and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy and regulation in Ghana.

The communiqué was adopted and signed at the close of the Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026, held on Tuesday, October 27, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The summit, held under the theme “Decoding Policy and Regulation for the Next Economy”, was convened by the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability in collaboration with Intelligence Nature International (INI).

The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, presided over the signing, while the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, co-signed the document.

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The Association of Ghana Industries and the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana signed as witnesses.

The communiqué contains three key resolutions aimed at strengthening climate action, improving access to sustainable finance and preparing Ghanaian businesses for emerging global environmental standards.

The first resolution calls for climate and ESG considerations to be integrated into the planning, budgeting and coordination activities of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). It also emphasises the need for sustained investment in the capacity of local authorities to implement climate-related policies.

The second resolution focuses on strengthening climate finance through a clear, phased timetable for climate and ESG disclosures, a more transparent carbon market and the use of blended finance to support bankable climate projects.

The third resolution calls for a coordinated national response to international market standards, including the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

It also advocates clearer green taxes, fees and levies, as well as the use of trade policies, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses in emerging green markets.

Speaking at the event, Mr Issifu said the communiqué provided a common direction for institutions involved in Ghana's climate and ESG policy implementation.

“Today, government, regulators, our Assemblies, the financial sector and business have agreed a common direction for climate and ESG policy in Ghana. Our task now is to deliver it, institution by institution, and to report back on progress,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Intelligence Nature International, Dr William K. Bannerman, said the document translated Ghana's evolving climate regulations into shared priorities agreed upon by stakeholders.

“Ghana's climate rules are arriving all at once. This Communiqué turns them into shared priorities that every institution in the room has agreed to work towards. The next step is implementation, and we will report on progress at the next Summit,” he said.

The communiqué will be transmitted to the relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Assemblies, with progress on its implementation expected to be reported at the next edition of the summit.