Climate Communications and Local Governance-Africa (CCLG-Africa) has pledged its support to newly sworn-in Ministers, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga, as they take on critical national responsibilities in Ghana’s environmental, climate and local governance sectors.
The organisation said it was ready to collaborate with the two ministers to advance sustainable environmental governance, strengthen climate action and promote responsive and accountable local governance.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, has been sworn in as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, while Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, is the new Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
President John Dramani Mahama swore the two ministers into office on August 29, 2026, following their approval by Parliament, and charged them to serve with integrity, humility, fairness and courage, with the national interest and welfare of Ghanaians at the centre of their responsibilities.
In a statement, CCLG-Africa said Dr Agyeman-Rawlings assumed office at a critical time for Ghana’s environmental and climate agenda and urged her to provide “fair, firm and fearless” leadership in tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and the degradation of the country’s forests, rivers and other ecosystems.
It called for stronger science-based environmental governance, regulation and enforcement, backed by an all-of-society and whole-of-government approach involving local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society, academia, the media, development partners, women and youth groups, and affected communities.
The organisation also urged the Environment Minister to make climate communication, community engagement and local-level climate action integral to the Ministry’s work.
It said Ghana’s environmental and climate commitments would have lasting impact only when policies were understood, owned and implemented at the community and grassroots levels.
On Mr Ayariga’s mandate, CCLG-Africa stressed the close connection between environmental sustainability and effective local governance.
It identified decentralisation, sanitation, spatial planning, waste management, community participation and accountable local institutions as critical to achieving sustainable environmental outcomes.
The organisation said it looked forward to working with Mr Ayariga and his Ministry to strengthen climate-responsive local governance and ensure that communities became active partners in Ghana’s sustainable development.
CCLG-Africa further pledged its full support and cooperation to both ministers, particularly in advancing Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and helping to harness opportunities under Article 6 for international cooperation on climate action.
The organisation said its support would be anchored in its work at the intersection of climate communication, environmental sustainability, policy and grassroots governance, with a focus on community engagement, knowledge-sharing, environmental justice and effective natural resource governance.
CCLG-Africa wished Dr Agyeman-Rawlings and Mr Ayariga wisdom, courage and success as they assume their new responsibilities, and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among government, communities, civil society, the media and other stakeholders could accelerate progress on Ghana’s environmental and local governance priorities.
About CCLG-Africa
Climate Communications and Local Governance-Africa (CCLG-Africa) is a network of media professionals, environmental experts and local governance practitioners working at the intersection of climate communication, environmental sustainability, policy and grassroots governance.
By: Christian Kpesese/NR NEWS
