Experts deliberate on how to promote nature-based solutions for sustainable development

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The Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA) has held maiden edition of the Africa Climate Dialogue, organized under the theme: “Harnessing Nature-Based Solutions: A Pathway to Sustainable National Development” in Accra on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

The high-level event, held at the Accra City Hotel, brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, youth and civil society to deliberate on the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change and advancing sustainability across Africa.

Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Issifu Seidu, commended the organizers for their foresight in creating a platform that fosters collaboration and innovation in climate action.

He described the dialogue as “a crucial space for meaningful engagement at a time when Africa is confronted with the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation.”

According to Mr. Seidu, nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a transformative pathway to tackle these interlinked challenges while driving economic growth.

“Whether through mangrove restoration, agroforestry, or wetland conservation, Nature-Based Solutions demonstrate that environmental stewardship and development can go hand in hand,” he stated.

He further noted that the government remains committed to integrating NbS into Ghana’s national development agenda and climate policies, as reflected in the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

He also highlighted President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to create the Ministry of State for Climate Change and Sustainability as “a structural solution to policy fragmentation,” aimed at ensuring coherence and accountability in implementing climate-related initiatives.

Mr. Seidu announced plans to establish a National Climate Change and Sustainability Hub to promote research, capacity building, and policy innovation, and to institutionalise climate units across Ministries and District Assemblies.

He called on all stakeholders—government, private sector, academia, and civil society to work together to unlock the potential of NbS and align national efforts with global frameworks such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Board Chair of AC4NCA, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, has urged African nations to prioritize Nature-based solutions (NbS) in their national development and climate policies.

Delivering the welcome address, she said the Centre was established to champion the integration of NbS as a core strategy in Africa’s climate response.

Rev. Aryee emphasised that challenges such as biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change threaten livelihoods and development progress across the continent.

However, she noted that these challenges present opportunities to “use nature’s power to repair damaged landscapes, shield communities from climatic shocks, and generate green jobs.”

She reaffirmed AC4NCA’s commitment to working with governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to accelerate climate action for a greener and more resilient Africa.

Director of Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Peter Dery, who also addressed the gathering reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to using Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) as a key pathway to achieving sustainable national development.

Dr. Dery said the impacts of climate change from prolonged droughts to coastal erosion continue to threaten agriculture, water security, and livelihoods across the continent.

He noted that Ghana’s climate ambition aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to conserve 30% of land and marine areas and restore degraded ecosystems by 2030.

The country, he added, has already achieved a reduction of 28.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, representing 45% of its global target.

Highlighting key government initiatives such as the Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project, West African Coastal Areas Resilience Project, and Improved Resilience of Coastal Communities Project, Dr. Dery emphasised that nature-based solutions are “development accelerators” that support livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

 

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