PANAFRICAN CLIMATEUSTICE ALLIANCE

Gregory University,
Uturu - Nigeria

AFRICA
CLIMATECHANGEFU N DSTAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION IN GHANA’S NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS(NDCs) IMPLEMENTATION: CHALLENGING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)TECHNOPOLICY BRIEF NO. 77
Nicholas Ozor
Chidi Onuoha
Cynthia Nwobodo
Alfred Nyambane

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s
Na onally Determined Contribu ons(NDCs) Implementa on:
Challenging issues and opportuni es

Nicholas Ozor
Chidi Onuoha
Cynthia Nwobodo
Alfred Nyambane

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)AFRICA
CLIMATECHANGE
FUND

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is atransdisciplinary network of researchers, policymakers, private
sector actors and the civil society promo ng the genera on,
dissemina on, use and mastery of Science, Technology andInnova ons (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. In collabora on with likeminded ins tu ons, ATPS provides pla orms for regional andinterna onal research and knowledge sharing in order tobuild Africa’s capabili es in STI policy research, policymaking
and implementa on for sustainable development.
Published by the African Technology
Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
P. O. Box 10081, 00100- GPO,
Nairobi, Kenya©2024
ISBN: 978-9966-124-55-5

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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

Table of Contents
About the Project ....................................................................................... iv
About Africa Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)............................ vi
Acknowledgement...................................................................................... vii
Key Messages............................................................................................. viii
1. Introduc on ......................................................................................... 1
2. Ra onale for Stakeholder Par cipa on in NDC implementa on ........ 2
3. Methodology ....................................................................................... 3
4. Major Findings...................................................................................... 4
5. Conclusion............................................................................................. 10
6. Policy Recommenda ons..................................................................... 11
References............................................................................................ 13
ATPS Technopolicy Brief Series ............................................................ 14

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esiiiAbout the Project
The Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs), with it’s condi onal anduncondi onal commitments, are key by-products of the Agreement andrequire all the countries to spell out their intended ac ons, to address climatechange over a ﬁve year period in terms of adapta on, mi ga on, and meansof implementa on as well as opportuni es arising therefrom and sustainable
development co-beneﬁts for the con nent. Despite the Paris Agreement providing
li le guidance on what and how climate change adapta on would be includedin the NDCs, most African NDCs highlight a number of cross-cu ng strategies
to address their mi ga on ambi ons as well as their adapta on needs. Thisis purblind considering the con nent is already dealing with increased severity
and frequency of climate risks and hazards due to its geographical posi oning,
overreliance on climate-sensi ve produc on sectors such as agriculture,
tourism, resource, and infrastructure deﬁcit, and the limited adap ve capacityof the people.
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), in partnership with
the Pan-African Climate Jus ce Alliance (PACJA) and the West African Green
Economics Development Ins tute (WAGEDI), secured funding from the African
Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Climate Change Fund (ACCF) to
implement the “Building the Capacity of Selected sub-Sahara African Countries
to Eﬀec vely Measure Progress in their Na onally Determined Contribu ons’
Implementa on using Tracking Tools and Indexes” project aimed at enhancing
the capacity of selected sub-Saharan African countries to eﬀec vely monitor
and report on their Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs). The selected
countries include Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The primary
goal is to develop and u lise tracking tools and indexes that will enable thesecountries to measure their progress in NDC implementa on accurately. Thisini a ve builds upon earlier collabora ons among ATPS, PACJA, and WAGEDI,
which involved the development of NDC implementa on monitoring andtracking tools in eight sub-Saharan African countries. The lessons learned fromthese earlier projects, as well as the networks and capaci es already established,
will provide a solid founda on for the current project. The collabora on aims toensure that par cipa ng countries can monitor their NDC progress and compare
their performance with other countries and regions in Africa.

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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

The project seeks to address a signiﬁcant gap in the capacity of sub-SaharanAfrican countries to track and report on the implementa on of their NDCs. The
ATPS operates through a network of Na onal Chapters in 30 countries, which
includes 27 African and 3 Diaspora chapters. These Na onal Chapters are led
by Focal Persons who provide intellectual and administra ve leadership at thecountry level. By leveraging this established network, the project aims to train
NDC implementa on focal persons and champions who will use the tracking andmonitoring tools developed through this ini a ve.

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esvAbout Africa Technology Policy Studies Network(ATPS)The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a transdisciplinary
network of researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and civil society
promo ng the genera on, dissemina on, use and mastery of Science,
Technology and Innova ons (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. The ATPS has over 5,000 members and 3000
stakeholders in over 51 countries in 5 con nents with ins tu onal partnerships
worldwide. We implement our programs through members in na onal chaptersestablished in 30 countries (27 in Africa and 3 Diaspora chapters in Australia, theUnited States of America, and the United Kingdom). In collabora on with likeminded ins tu ons, the ATPS provides pla orms for regional and interna onal
research and knowledge sharing in order to build Africa’s capabili es in STI policy
research, policymaking and implementa on for sustainable development.

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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esAcknowledgement
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and its Partners PanAfrican Climate Jus ce Alliance (PACJA) and West African Green Economic
Development Ins tute (WAGEDI) express our sincere gra tude to all individuals
and organiza ons who contributed to the study on the implementa on of
Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs). We are also thankful tothe various stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organiza ons,
the private sector, and local communi es led by the Ghana ATPS Na onal Chapter
Coordinator for their invaluable insights and feedback. Their ac ve par cipa on
and collabora on have been instrumental in shaping a comprehensive andinclusive approach to climate ac on in Ghana. Special thanks to the project teamfrom all the partnering ins tu ons. Lastly, we acknowledge the ﬁnancial andtechnical support provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through its
African Climate Change Fund (ACCF), without which this policy brief would nothave been possible.

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esviiKey Messages
 Ghana has made tremendous progress in implemen ng its Na onally
Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The country
is commi ed to implemen ng forty-seven mi ga on and adapta on ac ons
across seven economic sectors in its na onally determined contribu ons to
the United Na ons Framework Conven on on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from2020 to 2030, considering its unique circumstances.
 The country faces signiﬁcant challenges in her NDC implementa on suchas limited ﬁnancial capaci es, paucity of quality data, weak communica on
between and among ins tu ons, inadequate overall coordina on, absenceof binding commitments, and inadequate environmental educa on andawareness
 To overcome these challenges, there is the need for a con nuous engagementof the stakeholders in capacity building, training, sensi za on, awareness,
ins tu onal arrangements. Improvement in data collec on and quality ofdata from the stakeholders can also be achieved through the goodwill of
the top decision-makers. Furthermore, in accordance with the transparency
framework of the Paris Agreement, there is need to improve the current
Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) – Measurement Repor ng andVeriﬁca on (MRV) process and this will require a strong will from all the key
stakeholders involved, star ng from the legisla ve and execu ve arm of thegovernment down to the implemen ng ins tu ons.
 Opportuni es exist at the governance level in terms of intensive knowledge,
advocacy and poli cal will in the implementa on of climate ac on and trackingof the NDC. There are also opportuni es in terms of raising awareness ofavailable and increasing technologies such as renewable energy and energy
eﬃcient technologies, as well as the implementa on of climate-resilient
agriculture technologies and prac ces, irriga on systems, and livestock
management. There is also a good understanding of the innova on process,tariﬀs, and intellectual property rights.

viii Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

1. Introduc on
Responding to climate change issues is top on Ghana’s na onal development
agenda. This can be jus ﬁed by Ghana’s commitment to implemen ng thirty-one
mi ga on and adapta on ac ons across seven economic sectors in its na onallydetermined contribu on to the United Na ons Framework Conven on on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015. In line with Ar cle 4 of the Paris Agreement
and UNFCCC decisions 1/CP.21 and 4/CMA.1, Ghana has updated its na onallydetermined contribu on (NDC) under the Paris Agreement from 2020 to 2030,
considering its unique circumstances. The update aﬃrms the country’s resolve
to address the impacts of climate change on the country’s economy and its
vulnerable people. The update covers 19 policy areas and translates into 47
adapta on and mi ga on programmes of ac on. The 47 climate ac ons are
expected to build the resilience of over 38 million people, generate absolutegreenhouse gas emission reduc ons of 64 MtCO2e, create over one million jobs,
and avoid deaths due to improved air quality by 2030.
The update of the na onally determined contribu ons was based on extensive
stakeholder consulta ons with relevant ins tu ons at both na onal and subna onal levels, with the involvement of Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, development partners, private
sector, academia and Civil Society Organiza ons. The Ministry of Environment,
Science, Technology and Innova on of Ghana is working with relevant sector
ins tu ons and stakeholders to implement the Na onally Determined
Contribu ons (NDCs) with a view to accelera ng Ghana’s development eﬀorts
and enhancing the well-being of her people. The Updated Na onally Determined
Contribu ons will serve as a blueprint for transi oning into a climate-resilient
low carbon economy that will accelerate Ghana’s development eﬀorts towards
her public good enhancement without sacriﬁcing the quality of the environmentand her resources.

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

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2. Ra onale for Stakeholder Par cipa on in
NDCs Implementa on
Stakeholder par cipa on in the implementa on of Ghana’s NDCs is crucial
due to several compelling reasons. First, eﬀec ve stakeholder engagement
ensures that climate policies and ac ons are inclusive and reﬂect the diverse
perspec ves and needs of various sectors and communi es. This inclusivity isvital for the successful implementa on of NDCs, as it fosters a sense of ownershipand commitment among all involved par es, from government agencies tolocal communi es. By involving stakeholders such as government oﬃcials, civilsociety organiza ons, the private sector, and community leaders, Ghana cancreate more comprehensive and eﬀec ve climate strategies that address theunique challenges and opportuni es within the country.
Moreover, stakeholder par cipa on enhances the transparency andaccountability of NDCs implementa on. When stakeholders are ac vely involvedin the planning, monitoring, and evalua on processes, it becomes easier totrack progress, iden fy gaps, and address any emerging issues promptly. This
collabora ve approach helps build trust among stakeholders, which is essen al
for sustaining long-term climate ac on. For instance, the extensive stakeholder
consulta ons that informed Ghana’s updated NDCs highlighted the importanceof con nuous engagement in ensuring that the ac ons taken are well-alignedwith the country’s development goals and the needs of its people.
Addi onally, involving stakeholders can signiﬁcantly enhance the mobiliza on of
resources and capacity building necessary for NDC implementa on. Stakeholders
can contribute valuable exper se, ﬁnancial resources, and innova ve solu ons
to support climate ini a ves. For example, partnerships with the private sector
can bring in investment for renewable energy projects, while collabora onwith academic and research ins tu ons can provide the necessary data andtechnological advancements. Furthermore, engaging civil society organiza ons
can help raise public awareness and drive community-level ac ons, making
climate policies more eﬀec ve and far-reaching.

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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

3. Methodology
The study methodology employed the use of both primary and secondary data.
The bulk of the data was collected through desk studies. They include a review ofall grey and published materials from reports and other secondary informa on
on Ghana’s NDCs, climate change policies, measures, regula ons and strategies
that were undertaken to collect informa on already available in the publicdomain. These documents include (a) Na onal climate change policies andstrategies, (b) Reports on climate change projects and ini a ves in the country,
and (c) various knowledge and research work on climate change mi ga on andadapta on in the country. The secondary data was complemented with primarydata where quan ta ve and qualita ve surveys were conducted using both
structured and open-ended ques onnaires. Based on the informa on obtained
from the desk studies, key informants were iden ﬁed and interviewed to obtaindeeper insight. Key Informants consulted and interviewed (on-line) were drawn
from the relevant staﬀ of selected government oﬃcials (Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs) Climate Change/ NDC sectors, Desk Oﬃcers); and private
sector players, selected NGOs and Civil Society Organiza ons (CSOs), Research
Ins tu ons, as well as journalists to be able to capture enough data.
We also designed and administered structured ques onnaires to elicit
informa on from the respondents men oned. The interviews iden ﬁed key
policies, legisla on, key indicators, and exis ng ins tu onal arrangement at
the na onal level for climate change and NDC implementa on. Ministries andagencies involved include that of Finance, Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Lands
and Natural Resources, Sanita on and Water Resources, Gender, Children andSocial Protec on, Local Government, Decentralisa on and Rural Development,
Na onal Development Planning Commission.
The interviews also sought to understand the extent of climate change and NDC
implementa on and MRV compliance in the industry and private sector players
in line with exis ng laws, with a view to addressing challenges and seizing
opportuni es. We engaged cri cal players in the iden ﬁed sectors. Private
sector includes Banks, business associa ons, project developers, development
partners and academia, civil society organisa ons (Kasa Nature Conserva on
and Research Centre, GEF CSO Pla orm and Ghana Civil Society Organisa ons(CSOs) Pla orm on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

3

4. Major Findings
4.1 Overview of Key Policies and Ins tu ons Involved in NDCs Implementa on
Ghana’s updated and enhanced NDCs for 2020-2030 reﬂects a robust
commitment under the Paris Agreement to address climate change. The revised
NDC aligns with Ar cle 4 of the Paris Agreement and relevant UNFCCC decisions,reitera ng the ini al commitment made in 2015. Ghana emphasizes the urgent
need for collec ve global eﬀorts to limit global temperature rise to well below
two degrees Celsius; highligh ng the climate vulnerabili es faced by many
countries. This revised contribu on is geared towards accelera ng the country’s
transi on to a resilient, low-carbon society while promo ng economic growth,
climate protec on, and social inclusion, in line with the African Union’s Agenda
2063.
Ghana’s na onal development strategy is centered on building a resilient society
capable of withstanding climate change impacts and contribu ng to global
emission reduc ons. The strategy includes 19 policy ac ons across 10 priority
areas aimed at achieving the NDC goals over the next decade. These policy
ac ons translate into 13 adapta on and 34 mi ga on programs, focusing onsustainable energy transi on, resilient economies, disaster risk management,
landscape restora on, responsible produc on and consump on, and social
inclusion. The expected outcomes include signiﬁcant greenhouse gas (GHG)
emission reduc ons, improved air quality, job crea on, and enhanced publichealth and well-being, par cularly for youth and women.
The implementa on of Ghana’s NDC measures spans from 2021 to 2030,
with a mid-term review in 2025. The 13 adapta on measures include seven
uncondi onal and six condi onal programs of ac on, while the 34 mi ga on
measures comprise nine uncondi onal programs expected to achieve
substan al GHG reduc ons by 2025 and 2030. Addi onally, 25 condi onal
programs are con ngent on ﬁnancial support from interna onal and private
sectors. These measures cover a broad spectrum of GHG sources and removals;
emphasizing reduc ons in short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like methaneand Hydroﬂuorocarbons (HFCs), and addressing air pollutants as co-beneﬁts.
Ghana’s comprehensive approach includes the inclusion of all categories ofanthropogenic emissions and removals, except for certain agricultural andindustrial sectors, to maintain the integrity of the food produc on system
and address data management challenges. The country also highlights the co4

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esbeneﬁts of mi ga on in its adapta on ac ons, such as climate-smart agriculture,
eco-tourism, and the Green Ghana ini a ve. These ini a ves aim to create
jobs, promote sustainable land management, and enhance biodiversity, whileleveraging renewable energy to improve disease surveillance and early warning
systems, thus reducing fossil fuel dependency and bolstering climate resilience.
4.2 Best Prac ces and Impacts in NDC Implementa on in Ghana
Ghana’s implementa on of its NDCs has demonstrated several best prac ces:
● Ghana’s 2020-2025 COVID-19 Allevia on and Revitalisa on of Enterprises
Support (CARES) is a ﬂagship policy in building a be er economy throughsafeguarding jobs. It is envisaged that the economic gains from the CARES
programme would, a er 2025, serve as the basis for the government tocon nue its economic diversiﬁca on eﬀorts in the face of the transi on
towards a resilient and low-carbon future.

● Integrated Climate Data and Carbon Registry Pla orm: Ghana aims toopera onalize its integrated climate data and carbon registry pla orm for
managing and repor ng transac ons involving Interna onally Transferred
Mi ga on Outcomes (ITMOs) within the coopera ve approaches under
Ar cle 6 of the Paris Agreement consistent with UNFCCC Decision 18/CMA.1
paragraph 77 (d). In this regard, Ghana has used the established structures for
the Climate Ambi ous Report Programme (CARP), the Annual Progress Report(APR) and the Na onal Monitoring and Evalua on (M&E) as the backbone toregularly track and report progress and achievement of all the 47 measures.
● Existence of Annual Progress Report (APR)-managed by the Na onal
Development Planning Commission, climate data and carbon registry systemhosted by the Environmental Protec on Agency) and the CLIMFINTRAC1,(managed by the Ministry of Finance) for tracking climate ﬁnance are being
fed into the annual NDC progress report for the Ghana Government and theinterna onal reports such as Na onal Communica on, Na onal Adapta on
Communica on, Biennial Transparency Report and Na onal Greenhouse Gas
Inventory Document. There is the existence of a robust progress report on

1 CLIMFINTRAC stands for Climate Finance Tracking. In Ghana, this ini a ve focuses on tracking

and repor ng climate ﬁnance to ensure transparency, accountability, and eﬀec ve use of funds
for climate change mi ga on and adapta on projects. The goal is to align ﬁnancial resources
with na onal climate policies and strategies, contribu ng to Ghana’s overall climate ac on plan.
Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es5Ghana’s NDC tracking system due to the development of high-level technicalskills drawn from the MDAs. private sector, academia, civil society and the
media.
● Finance mobilisa on mechanisms: Ghana has mobilized $500 million frominterna onal sources, such as the Green Climate Fund, and $200 million
from domes c sources. Ghana set up a Na onal Climate Fund to manage anddisburse climate funds, ensuring transparency and accountability. The country
has integrated climate change into its na onal budget, alloca ng resources
for climate ac ons. It has equally encouraged private sector investment
in climate-resilient infrastructure and clean energy and built capacity forclimate ﬁnance management, ensuring eﬀec ve u liza on of funds. Ghana’s
ﬁnancial mechanism has promoted low-carbon development, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Ghana’s best prac ces in ﬁnancial mechanisms
have contributed to the successful implementa on of its NDC, making it amodel for other countries in the region.
● The implementa on of climate-smart agricultural prac ces and renewableenergy solu ons: Ghana’s NDCs implementa on in the area of climatesmart agricultural prac ces and renewable energy solu ons has shown bestprac ces and impact incClimate-resilient agriculture where Ghana promoted
climate-resilient agriculture prac ces such as conserva on agriculture andagroforestry and implemented renewable energy solu ons, including solar andwind power for agriculture and rural development. They equally developed
climate-resilient irriga on systems, enhancing agricultural produc vity andwater management and implemented soil conserva on measures, reducing
soil erosion and improving soil fer lity. Addi onally, Ghana provided training
and capacity-building to farmers on climate-smart agriculture prac ces.
● Ins tu onal strengthening has been pivotal to enhancing governance andcoordina on in climate ac ons: Ghana set up a commi ee to coordinate climate
ac ons across ministries and agencies, strengthened ins tu ons responsible
for climate change mi ga on and adapta on, developed a policy and strategy
to guide climate change ac ons, improved coordina on and governanceamong government agencies, civil society, and private sector en es andprovided training and capacity building for oﬃcials to enhance their climatechange management skills. Ghana’s ins tu onal strengthening has improved
climate governance and coordina on. Ghana’s best prac ces in ins tu onal
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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esstrengthening have ensured eﬀec ve governance and coordina on in climate
ac ons, suppor ng the country’s progress towards achieving its NDC goals.
● Public awareness campaigns and educa onal programs have played a cri calrole in galvanizing support for climate ini a ves across society: Ghana
launched a na onwide campaign to raise awareness on climate change impacts
and solu ons, integrated climate change educa on into its school curriculum,
empowering youth with climate knowledge, implemented community
outreach programs, engaging with local communi es on climate resilienceand adapta on. Again, Ghana partnered with media outlets to disseminate
climate change informa on, reaching a wider audience and collaborated withcivil society organiza ons to amplify climate change messaging and advocacy.
Ghana’s best prac ces in public awareness, campaigns, and educa onal
programs have contributed to a culture of climate resilience, preparing thecountry for a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
4.3 Challenges in Stakeholder Par cipa on in NDCs Implementa on in Ghana
The implementa on of NDCs in Ghana faces several signiﬁcant challenges.
These challenges are classiﬁed into ﬁnancial, ins tu onal, informa on, andlegal categories and impact the eﬀec veness of policies and ins tu onal ac ons
towards climate change mi ga on.
● Financial Constraints: Insuﬃcient budgetary alloca ons for climate change
ini a ves, overreliance on external funding sources, cumbersome processes
and high costs associated with accessing interna onal climate ﬁnance,
limited engagement from the private sector in climate change mi ga on andadapta on eﬀorts have been the bane of climate ﬁnance in Ghana.

● Ins tu onal Barriers: Ins tu onal barriers to NDCs implementa on in Ghana
include: Inadequate skills, knowledge, and resources within ins tu ons
responsible for climate change mi ga on and adapta on, ineﬀec ve
collabora on and coordina on among government agencies, ministries, anddepartments, weak policy and regulatory framework including inadequate
policies, laws, and regula ons to support climate change mi ga on andadapta on eﬀorts, unclear deﬁni ons of roles and responsibili es among
ins tu ons, leading to confusion and overlapping eﬀorts, insuﬃcientins tu onal coordina on at the local level including limited capacity andcoordina on among district assemblies, municipal councils, and tradi onal
authori es. Others are poor data collec on, analysis, and sharing among
Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

7ins tu ons, hindering eﬀec ve decision-making, limited stakeholder
engagement and par cipa on, insuﬃcient involvement of civil society, private
sector, and communi es in climate change decision-making processes.
● Informa on Barriers: Limited access to climate data and informa on including
insuﬃcient availability and accessibility of climate data, par cularly at the
local level. Inadequate capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret climate datafor informed decision-making, insuﬃcient knowledge and understanding ofclimate change causes, impacts, and solu ons among stakeholders etc.
● Legal Barriers: Absence of a comprehensive legal framework speciﬁcallyaddressing climate change. Limited integra on of climate change considera ons
into exis ng laws and regula ons, absence of clear deﬁni ons and standards
for climate change mi ga on and adapta on measures, limited capacity andresources for enforcing climate change-related laws and regula ons are allpart of Ghana’s legal barriers etc.
4.4 Opportuni es for NDCs Implementa on in Ghana
Despite the above challenges, several opportuni es exist to enhance NDCs
implementa on in Ghana:-Exploring innova ve ﬁnancing op ons, such as green bonds and climate ﬁnancemechanisms, presents new funding streams for Ghana’s NDCs implementa on.
Public-private partnerships can be leveraged to mobilize addi onal resources,enhancing the ﬁnancial capacity to undertake large-scale climate projects.
Increasing transparency and accountability in ﬁnancial management is key
to a rac ng more interna onal funding and ensuring eﬀec ve u liza on of
resources. Establishing a Na onal Climate Fund, as Ghana has done, to manage
and disburse climate funds with a focus on transparency and accountability is apivotal step in securing the necessary ﬁnancial support.
-Strengthening ins tu onal capaci es through targeted capacity-building
ini a ves can signiﬁcantly enhance the eﬀec veness of key ins tu ons involved
in NDCs implementa on. Clarifying roles and responsibili es and improving
coordina on mechanisms among ins tu ons can streamline eﬀorts and ensure
be er communica on and collabora on across sectors and stakeholders.
Establishing a centralized body for climate change coordina on is crucial foraligning the eﬀorts of various ministries, departments, and agencies towards
common climate goals. This centralized body can also facilitate the engagementof civil society, the private sector, and local communi es in climate ac ons,
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Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni esensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to NDC implementa on.
-Developing a comprehensive pla orm for data collec on, storage, and sharing
can improve the quality and availability of climate-related data. Inves ng
in infrastructure, such as hardware and so ware, to support be er data
management is essen al for informed decision-making. Enhancing publicawareness and educa on on climate change can increase engagement andsupport for climate ac ons. Ghana’s ini a ve to opera onalize an integrated
climate data and carbon registry pla orm for managing and repor ng
transac ons involving Interna onally Transferred Mi ga on Outcomes (ITMOs)
is a signiﬁcant step towards achieving these goals. This pla orm ensures thatclimate data is accessible and can be u lized eﬀec vely for planning andimplemen ng climate ac ons.
-Enac ng speciﬁc legisla on to mandate and enable the implementa onof mi ga on ac ons and transparency ac vi es is crucial for NDCs
implementa on. Such legal frameworks can ensure sustained commitment andcompliance from all stakeholders, facilita ng a more structured approach toclimate ac on. The integra on of climate change considera ons into exis ng
laws and regula ons is necessary to provide a comprehensive legal founda on
for NDC ac vi es. Ghana’s progress in this area, including the development ofpolicies to support climate change mi ga on and adapta on, demonstrates thepoten al for legal frameworks to drive eﬀec ve climate ac on and governance.

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

95. Conclusion
Ghana has made commendable progress in implemen ng its NDCs under
the Paris Agreement, showcasing a strong commitment to climate ac on andsustainable development. The country’s eﬀorts encompass a comprehensive
approach, involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders from government
agencies, the private sector, civil society, and local communi es. This inclusive
strategy has facilitated the alignment of climate ac ons with na onal
development goals, ensuring that the unique challenges and opportuni es
within the country are eﬀec vely addressed. Despite signiﬁcant challenges,
such as limited ﬁnancial capaci es, data quality issues, and coordina on gaps,
numerous opportuni es to enhance NDCs implementa on have been iden ﬁed.
These include innova ve ﬁnancing mechanisms, ins tu onal capacity building,
improved data management, and robust legal frameworks. By capitalizing onthese opportuni es and fostering con nuous stakeholder engagement, Ghana
is well-posi oned to achieve its climate goals and transi on towards a resilient,
low-carbon economy. The lessons learned and best prac ces from Ghana’s
experience can serve as a model for other countries in the region, contribu ng
to the global eﬀort to combat climate change.

10 Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

6. Proposed Policy and Ins tu onal
Recommenda ons
To address the challenges iden ﬁed in Ghana’s NDCs implementa on andenhance its climate resilience eﬀorts, the following ac onable policy andins tu onal recommenda ons are proﬀered:
Recommenda on 1: Mobilize climate ﬁnance and other resources throughincreased alloca ons from the government and private sector: Ghana should
establish a climate ﬁnance unit within the Ministry of Finance to coordinate
domes c and interna onal climate funding, engage with interna onal climate
funds, provide ﬁnancial incen ves, create favourable regulatory frameworks,
and facilitate public-private partnerships to a ract private sector investment
and enhance funding for large-scale climate projects.
Recommenda on 2: Strengthen ins tu onal capaci es to ensure eﬀec ve
coordina on and implementa on of climate ac ons: Ghana should establish
a centralized coordina ng body within the Ministry of Environment, Science,
Technology and Innova on (MESTI) to oversee climate ac ons across all
ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). This body should develop andimplement targeted capacity-building programs, clarify roles and responsibili es
among ins tu ons, and improve coordina on mechanisms to streamline eﬀorts
and enhance ins tu onal eﬃciency.
Recommenda on 3: Improve climate data management and informa onsharing systems: Ghana should develop a comprehensive climate datapla orm within the Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA) to collect, store,
and share climate-related data. This pla orm should be supported by required
infrastructural investments in hardware and so ware, public awarenesscampaigns, and educa onal programs to increase stakeholder engagement andsupport for climate ac ons.
Recommenda on 4: Enhance the legal framework to support climate change
mi ga on and adapta on eﬀorts: Ghana should enact speciﬁc climate
legisla on within the parliament that mandates and enables the implementa onof climate mi ga on ac ons and transparency ac vi es. This legisla on should
integrate climate change considera ons into exis ng laws across all sectors,
build capacity for enforcement, and allocate resources to ensure complianceand accountability.
Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) 11
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

Recommenda on 5: Ensure inclusive stakeholder engagement and con nuous
capacity building for eﬀec ve NDC implementa on: Ghana should conduct
regular stakeholder consulta ons at na onal and sub-na onal levels to informand align climate policies and ac ons. Con nuous training and capacity-building
programs should be provided for stakeholders, including government oﬃcials,
private sector players, CSOs, and local communi es. Addi onally, partnerships
with academic and research ins tu ons should be fostered to leverage exper seand innova ve solu ons for climate ac on.

12 Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

References
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC]. (2006). IPCC Guidelines for
Na onal Greenhouse Gas Inventories, edited by H. Eggleston, L. Buendia,
L. Miwa, T. Ngara, and K. Tanabe. Hayama, Japan: Ins tute for Global
Environmental Strategies (IGES) for the IPCC. Available online at: h p://www.
ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/
Singh, N., J. Finnegan, and K. Levin. (2016). “MRV 101: Understanding
Measurement, Repor ng, and Veriﬁca on of Climate Change Mi ga on.”Working Paper. Washington DC: World Resources Ins tute. Available online
at: h p://www.wri.org/mrv101.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria (2021). Second Biennial Update Report (BUR2)
to the United Na ons Framework Conven on on Climate Change
United Na ons Framework Conven on on Climate Change [UNFCCC]. (1992).
United Na ons. FCCC/INFORMAL/84. GE.05-62220 (E) 200705. Available
online at: h ps://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf.
UNFCCC. (2007). Decision 1/CP.13: Bali Ac on Plan. FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1.
Available online at: h ps://unfccc.int/ resource/docs/2007/cop13/
eng/06a01.pdf
UNFCCC. (2014). Handbook on Measurement, Repor ng and Veriﬁca on (MRV)
for Developing Country Par es. Webpage.
UNFCCC. (2019). Decision 18/CMA.1 Modali es, procedures and guidelines forthe transparency framework for ac on and support referred to in Ar cle 13of the Paris Agreement. Available online at: h ps://www.informea.org/ sites/
default/ﬁles/decisions/ UNFCCC/CMA2018_03a02E.pdf
MESTI. (2021). Ghana: Updated Na onally Determined Contribu on under theParis Agreement (2020 –2030) Environmental Protec on Agency, Ministry ofEnvironment, Science, Technology and Innova on, Accra.

Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) 13
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

ATPS TechnoPolicy Briefs Series• Stakeholder Par cipa on in the Implementa on of Na onally Determined
Contribu ons (NDCs) in Côte d’Ivoire (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 76)• Collabora ve Climate Ac on for Sustainable Development: The case of NDCs
Implementa on in Uganda (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 75)• Advancing Tanzania’s Na onally Determined Contribu on (NDCs) Goals
Through Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 74)• Enhancing Stakeholder Par cipa on in the Implementa on of the Na onally
Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) in Ethiopia (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 73)• Paving the Way for Climate Ac on: Kenya’s Journey towards Implemen ng the
Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 72)• Quelle Est La Place De La Science, De La Technologie Et De L’innova on Dans
L’emploi Des Jeunes Au Sénégal ? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 71)• Using Science, Technology, and Innova on to Enhance Skills Development, Job
Crea on, and Entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 70)• Fostering the future and livelihood of young people in Uganda through Science,
Technology, and Innova on (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 69)• What is the place of Science, Technology, and Innova on in Youth Employment
in Senegal? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 68)• Understanding Rwanda’s Science, Technology, and Innova on Landscape in
Youth Employment Crea on (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 67)• Leveraging Science, Technology, and Innova on for Enhanced Youth
Employment in Nigeria (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 66)• Unlocking the Poten al of Educa on and Skills for Suppor ng Youth
Employment in Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 65)• Harnessing Science and Technological Innova on for Youth Employment andSkill Acquisi on in Ghana (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 64)• Is Ethiopia’s Science, Technology, and Innova on Policy Landscape Eﬀec velyCrea ng Jobs and Fostering Skills for the Youth? (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 63)• University-Led Ecosystems for Sustained Innova on and Entrepreneurship
Development in Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 62)• Eco-innova on Policies for Sustainable Development in Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 61)• Ins tu onal Landscape for Eco-innova on Development in Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 60)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Benin(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 59)• Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Kenya (ATPS
14 Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

TechnoPolicy Brief No. 58)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Senegal(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 57)• Advancing Ecological Organic Agriculture in Nigeria (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 56)• Policy and Ins tu onal Framework for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Rwanda(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 55)• Bridging Climate Informa on Gaps to Strengthen Capaci es for Climate Informed
Decision (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 54)• Embracing Open Contrac ng in Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 53)• The Digital Revolu on, Open Science, and Innova on for Open Science Developmentin Sub-Saharan Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 52)• Nouvelles approaches de ﬁ nancement de la recherché et de L’innova on en Afrique(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 51)• New Approaches for Funding Research and Innova on in Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy
Brief No. 50)• Towards Eﬀec ve Public-Private Partnerships in Research and Innova on: A
Perspec ve for African Science Gran ng Councils (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 49)• Innova ve Prac ces and Policies for Promo ng Biodiversity Informa cs in SubSaharan Africa (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 48)• Improving the Relevance of University Training to Labour Market Demands in Africa(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 47)• Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informa cs in sub-Saharan Africa (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 46)• ICTs role in Agricultural Development: Prospects of Land Poten al Knowledge System(LandPKS) (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 45)• Mainstreaming Gender in the Na onal Science, Technology and Innova on (STI)
Policy of Kenya (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 44)• Social Innova on: An Untapped Resource for Inclusive Green Growth (ATPSTechnoPolicy Brief No. 43)• Policy Axes that Can Uphold Agricultural Innova ons for Climate Change Adapta on
and Food Security in Central Africa: Case of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central
African Republic (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 42)• Frameworks for Intellectual Property Protec on of Tradi onal Knowledge in Tanzania(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 41)• Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protec on Op ons of Tradi onal
Knowledge System in Ethiopia (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 40)• Towards inﬂuencing Na onal Legisla on, Policies, Strategies and Programmes forappropriate Protec on and Beneﬁt-Sharing of Tradi onal Knowledge (TK) with andby Tradi onal Herbalists in Uganda. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 39)• Tradi onal Healers and their Provision of Mental Health Services in Cosmopolitan
Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs) 15
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

Informal Se lements in Nairobi, Kenya. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 38)• Policy Implica ons for Intellectual Property Systems for Tradi onal Healers in
Lesotho. (ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 37)• Incidence of Indigenous and Innova ve Climate Change Adapta on Prac ces for
Smallholder Framers’ Livelihood Security in Chikhwawa District, Southern Malawi.
(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 36)• Machobane Farming System and its Relevance to Climate Change Policy in Lesotho.
(ATPS TechnoPolicy Brief No. 35)

16 Stakeholder Par cipa on in Ghana’s Na onally Determined Contribu ons (NDCs)
Implementa on: Challenging issues and opportuni es

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