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Austrian ambassador to Ghana commends Mahama for demonstrating commitment to address climate change
The Ambassador of Austria to Ghana, Mr Jürgen Heissel, on Tuesday stated that the appointment of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Mr Seidu Issifu by President John Dramani Mahama demonstrates high-level political commitment to addressing climate change.
Mr Heissel said this when he paid a courtesy call on Mr Siedu, to explore avenues for collaboration in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, climate finance, and green innovation.
Mr Siedu expressed profound gratitude to Mr Heissel for the visit and emphasized that his appointment reflects government’s commitment to combating climate change.
He shared his personal vision to establish a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub as a centre of excellence for research, innovation, and regional cooperation.
Mr Seidu also outlined plans to create Climate Change and Sustainability Units across all ministries, agencies, and District Assemblies, aimed at integrating climate action into public sector planning and delivery.
The Minister shared plans to convene a Climate Business Summit to drive private sector investment and innovation.
Ambassador Heissel welcomed the initiatives and expressed Austria’s interest in aligning its capabilities with Ghana’s priorities.
He highlighted opportunities for institutional exchanges, academic scholarships, and cultural partnerships that could support Ghana’s climate and development goals.
Both parties said they were committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation and turning shared ambitions into practical outcomes for sustainable development.
Ghana is making positive strides in meeting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) to fight the worst impact of climate change.
As mounting layers of ice at the north and south poles keeps breaking into the sea and causing the sea to rise, vulnerable communities along coastal lines in many countries continue to be pelted by rising seas.
For instance in Ghana, tidal waves is driving people out of their homes, along the Keta lagoon in the Ketu South Constituency, Volta Region.
A fact finding project carried out by the Ghanaian Times had revealed that climate change is pushing familes into poverty, while some young girls of school age are going into prostitution just to make ends meet.
Ghana needs an urgent, deliberate, and resilient climate policy to address this hydra-headed canker in the medium to long term.
No doubt, climate is an existential threat and needs a holistic local and international collaboration.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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