Story by:Paul Mensah Nsor
Stakeholders have gathered for a validation workshop on the Readiness Needs Assessment programme in Ghana, part of the Africa Union's Continental Africa Water Investment Programme. The initiative aims to strengthen Ghana's climate resilience and sustainable development by improving water resource management and increasing access to climate finance.
The programme is supported by the Green Climate Fund, which has approved a $5.6 million readiness programme for Ghana. This initiative is part of the broader Invest in Water campaign by African leaders, focusing on high-level advocacy to ensure political commitment and mobilize financial resources for water security across the continent.
Ghana's economy, heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, forestry, and energy, will benefit from this initiative. The programme aims to enhance climate-resilient water investment planning, strengthen institutional capacity, and accelerate the preparation of bankable water projects that can attract large-scale financing.
The workshop calls for stakeholders to work together in championing climate-resilient water solutions, emphasizing that investment in water is an investment in people, safeguarding livelihoods, protecting agriculture and energy systems, strengthening community resilience, and creating jobs.
The Chief Economic Officer Minister of Finance, Benjamin Torsah-klu, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing climate change and water security challenges. He highlighted the country’s revised National Water Policy and updated National Economic Contribution as key frameworks for achieving sustainable water resource management. “We are proud to be among the 50 countries participating in this first phase of the transformative program,” he said.
The project is expected to have far-reaching benefits for Ghana, including improved water security, enhanced climate resilience, and increased economic growth. It is also expected to contribute to the country’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation.
The project is part of the broader Invest in Water campaign by African leaders, focusing on high-level advocacy to ensure political commitment and mobilize financial resources for water security across the continent. Ghana's economy, heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, forestry, and energy, will benefit from this initiative.
The Green Climate Fund provides support to countries through various windows, including full proposal windows for large-scale investments, simplified approval processes for smaller projects, and readiness programmes for strengthening national capacity and coordinating systems. Ghana has been approved for an $5.6 million readiness programme.
The event calls for stakeholders to work together in championing climate-resilient water solutions, emphasizing that investment in water is an investment in people, safeguarding livelihoods, protecting agriculture and energy systems, strengthening community resilience, and creating jobs.
Madam Eunice Inkum, Director of the Real Sector Division, emphasized the importance of building water resilience, stating that "water is worth life" and that strengthening water systems is crucial for Ghana's economic stability and social well-being. The programme aims to enhance climate-resilient water investment planning, strengthen institutional capacity, and accelerate the preparation of bankable water projects that can attract large-scale financing.
The Green Climate Fund has approved $5.6 million for Ghana's readiness programme, which is part of eight approved programmes aimed at reinforcing institutional systems and mobilizing climate finance for the water sector.
