Accra: The Government has launched a National Roster of Experts on Climate Negotiations to enhance Ghana's representation in global climate diplomacy. The initiative, led by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with support from the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) and development partners, aims to transition Ghana's climate negotiation framework from ad-hoc participation to a structured, technically grounded system.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, described the roster as a 'significant milestone' in Ghana's efforts to deepen its presence and influence in international climate negotiations. She stated that the initiative would ensure that Ghana's priorities, ranging from adaptation financing to loss and damage, mitigation, and technology transfer, are championed by negotiators who are both technically competent and diplomatically prepared.
Prof. Klutse emphasized that climate negotiation for Ghana is not merely an environmental exercise but a matter of national development, national security, and justice. She highlighted the need for negotiators who understand both the science and the politics, the data and the diplomacy. Despite Ghana's active participation in global climate forums, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and COP negotiations, the country has faced limitations due to a small pool of trained negotiators across diverse thematic areas.
The EPA designed the roster as a 'living platform' to connect Ghanaian negotiators to continuous learning opportunities, including simulation exercises, technical briefings, and COP preparatory sessions. Prof. Klutse noted that the initiative coincides with the implementation of Article 6, a new climate finance framework, and the post-global stocktake era shaping the next decade of climate action. She expressed optimism that Ghana's model could be replicated across Africa to strengthen the continent's voice in global climate governance.
Madam Suweibatu Adam, Chief Director at MEST, emphasized the increasing complexity of climate negotiations and the need for a coordinated pool of skilled negotiators and technical experts to represent Ghana's interests effectively. She stated that the roster provides a structured national mechanism for identifying, organizing, and supporting qualified experts to participate in international, regional, and national climate processes. Madam Adam noted that as the global community prepares for COP30 in Brazil, the initiative is timely and positions Ghana to participate with coherence, capacity, and confidence in advancing national and collective climate ambitions.
