The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), as partners under the Climate Promise: From Pledge to Impact Initiative, have supported the second Civil Society Consultation Workshop towards the development of Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 under the Paris Agreement.
The consultation provided an important platform for civil society organizations (CSOs), including targeted youth-led groups as well as gender and disability-focused organizations, to actively contribute to shaping Ghana’s next set of climate commitments. The workshop offered participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the new evolving NDC framework while also creating space for dialogue on approaches for civil society organizations (CSOs) to position as a constituency for effective engagement. Beyond knowledge sharing, the workshop served as a strategic platform for the diverse groups to engage on developing a collective Civil Society Programme of Action (POA) under the NDC 3.0. In addition, the workshop catalyzed strengthening inclusive climate action and accountability, ensuring that the voices of all segments of society are reflected in the country’s upcoming 2025-2030 climate strategy.
Speaking on the support to the CSOs, Dr. Abdul-razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate Cluster at UNDP Ghana, emphasized the value of inclusivity in achieving ambitious climate goals. “UNDP believes that meaningful climate action must adopt a whole-of-society approach which requires diverse actors, particularly those that are most vulnerable and marginalized. By ensuring that CSOs are actively involved in the development of Ghana’s NDC 3.0, we are enhancing the quality of the targets and actions, building a just, inclusive, and resilient pathway for Ghana’s transition,” he said.
Adding his perspective, Mr. Daniel Lamptey, Principal Programme Officer at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), highlighted the significance of CSO engagement in this process. “This process is seeking to engage CSOs in the new NDC development and is expected to result in either a CSO focus, or an intervention embedded in the NDC process, since the previous NDC development did not include a CSO-led effort or activities throughout the process,” he noted.
By bringing together a broad representation of CSOs, this collaboration seeks to guarantee that civil society perspectives, priorities, and actions are fully integrated into Ghana’s climate commitments. It further underscores the country’s dedication to a just and inclusive transition, where no group is left behind in the journey toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Through these consultations, Ghana aims to reinforce transparency and inclusivity in the process of developing a more ambitious NDC while building stronger partnerships between government, civil society, and development partners for enhanced ownership and accelerated implementation of the national climate ambitions.
