The Paramount Chief of Atebubu, Yeboah Asiamah, together with selected elders of the Atebubu Traditional Council, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, on March 9, 2026.

The meeting sought to strengthen collaboration between traditional authorities and key government institutions, including the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Discussions focused on potential partnerships in areas such as enhancing Ghana’s carbon market framework and developing land-scoping methodologies to support national development.

During the meeting, the Paramount Chief expressed appreciation to the Minister for his efforts to position climate change and environmental sustainability at the centre of Ghana’s national development agenda.

The delegation from the Atebubu Traditional Council also emphasised the important role traditional leadership can play in mobilising communities to support environmental protection, sustainable land management and climate awareness initiatives.

Speaking during the meeting, the Paramount Chief highlighted the vulnerability of many rural communities, including those within the Atebubu Traditional Area in the Bono East Region, to climate-related challenges such as erratic rainfall patterns, land degradation and declining agricultural productivity.

According to him, chiefs and traditional councils in Ghana remain custodians of the land and therefore carry a critical responsibility to promote responsible natural resource management and sustainable land-use practices within their jurisdictions.

He noted that such efforts could help generate community revenue, improve livelihoods and contribute to poverty reduction.

The Paramount Chief further reaffirmed the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the Minister’s office and other government institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as well as private sector partners, on community-level climate initiatives.

These initiatives include tree-planting campaigns, environmental education, sanitation drives and sustainable agriculture programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening community resilience.

He stressed that effective climate action requires strong collaboration between government, traditional authorities and local communities.

The Paramount Chief also congratulated the Minister for his leadership in coordinating climate-related activities in Ghana and strengthening the country’s international climate diplomacy.

In his response, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, welcomed the delegation and commended the Atebubu Traditional Council for its proactive leadership in community development and environmental stewardship.

The Minister acknowledged that traditional authorities play a pivotal role in influencing behavioural change and ensuring that climate policies are effectively implemented at the grassroots level.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with chiefs and traditional councils across the country to advance climate resilience, protect natural resources and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Issifu further highlighted key initiatives being spearheaded by his office, including the establishment of a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub that will serve as a centre of excellence for research, capacity building, climate education, sustainable agriculture and green industrial development.

The hub is expected to support long-term environmental sustainability while promoting inclusive economic growth across both the public and private sectors.

Additionally, the Minister revealed plans to establish Climate Change and Sustainability Units across sectoral institutions within all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen grassroots-driven climate adaptation and resilience measures nationwide.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore strategic partnerships, including community-based climate adaptation projects and public awareness campaigns aimed at building climate-resilient communities and safeguarding the environment.

Both parties underscored the importance of strong collaboration between government institutions and traditional leadership in advancing Ghana’s climate action efforts and ensuring a sustainable future for present and future generations.