The Government of Ghana has announced its vision for ‘Resilient Ghana’ – a bold transformation plan in which development and nature-positive action thrive in tandem.
A press statement released on Saturday at the COP 28 underway in Dubai, stated that Ghana is recognised as a world leader for both its bold ambition on forests, climate, nature and its unique and precious biodiversity.
It said the nation is a trailblazer on carbon markets, adding that Ghana has made ambitious commitments to halt deforestation and restore two million hectares of degraded land by 2030 as an endorser of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, under the Bonn Challenge and the African Forest Landscape Initiative.
“Forests are at the heart of socioeconomic development in the country, covering around 30% of total land cover and as a source of income and livelihood to nearly 1 in 10 Ghanaians. There are ongoing challenges that need to be addressed. Transformation is needed in key areas to maximise climate impact while securing co-benefits for people,” it stated.
It noted that the programmes are across four thematic areas including: Scaling carbon markets by generating high quality and high integrity carbon credits, Sustainable agriculture and mining, Nature-positive timber and restoration and enabling conditions.
“Achieving ‘Resilient Ghana’ will be a multi-year, multi-faceted effort.
The Country Package represents an innovative, collaborative approach to supporting key action areas that advance climate action for prosperity in Ghana, conserving, protecting and restoring forests while also securing alternative livelihoods for rural communities.
Ghana’s leadership towards ‘Resilient Ghana’ will serve as a template for Global South countries pursuing nature-based economic development, poverty reduction, and carbon markets,” it said.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
