Professor Ananth V. Iyer, the Dean of the University of Buffalo, New York City, has paid a courtesy call on Mr. Issifu Seidu, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, in Accra.
The visit is to discuss possible areas of collaboration between the two countries in advancing climate action.
It is also to explore opportunities for partnership in climate research and sustainable development initiatives that are aligned with Ghana’s climate agenda.
Mr. Seidu outlined Ghana’s climate vision and explored potential areas of collaboration with the Dean of the University.
He said the Office was created by President John Dramani Mahama with a mandate to coordinate climate action across all Ministries, Municipalities, and District Assemblies as well as the private sector in Ghana.
Mr. Seidu said the newly created Climate Change Office had established a technical working committee with representation from all Ministries to align and facilitate climate initiatives.
He emphasised Ghana’s energy transition agenda, including plans to scale up solar rooftop installations across government institutions to reduce energy sector debt.
The Minister indicated that the Office intended to create a Climate and Sustainability Hub to serve as a one-stop center for data, research, financing, and capacity building in Ghana.
“The Office will also promote the creation of Climate and Sustainability Units within local government structures to engage communities directly on all climate change-related activities. Climate change adaptation at the local level through internal funding is my priority,” he added.
The Minister said leveraging the private sector together with the government institutions in the climate change space was important to achieve the fight against climate change in Ghana and other developing countries.
He said the impact of climate change on African countries, especially Ghana includes floods, drought, loss of livelihoods, and destruction of farmland activities in areas like the Volta Region, Northern Region, and other parts of the country leading to excessive poverty and bringing challenges to economic development.
Professor Lyer said the University focused on supporting climate action through greenhouse gas emissions at reducing energy and waste in the environment.
He said the University also encouraged innovation to drive businesses through designing durable, repairable as well as recyclable products for the safety of the environment.
Professor Lyer said the US Government was ready to provide technical assistance to Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation under the Paris Agreement.
He added that the US government was also ready to provide support in the climate change forum to build the capacity of institutions in the climate change space, stating that the University was ready to provide financial support for the establishment of the Hub in Ghana.
The Dean praised the Government for the bold decision towards the establishment of the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability by President Mahama.
Both parties agreed that deeper diplomatic engagement, including participation in key climate-related conferences in New York would strengthen cooperation.
GNA
