Climate sustainability is now a national development issue - Frederick Amissah

Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Frederick Amissah, has described climate sustainability as a national development issue, warning that its growing impact is affecting Ghana's economy, public finances, and long-term growth.

Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Sustainable Finance Roadmap on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Amissah said climate change has gone beyond being an environmental concern and is now shaping how countries produce food, build infrastructure, manage public finances, and attract investment.

"Climate sustainability is a macroeconomic issue, a financial stability issue, a competitiveness issue and, above all, a national development issue," he said.

Amissah said the recent floods, which claimed nine lives, demonstrate the devastating human and economic cost of climate change.

He called for a moment of silence in honour of the victims before stressing that extreme weather events continue to place a heavy burden on the country's finances.

"When floods wash away roads, the cost appears in the budget. When droughts affect crop yields, the cost appears in food inflation and headline inflation. When coastal erosion threatens communities, the cost appears in public investment plans," he stated.

He said Ghana's financial system must play a greater role in helping the country adapt to climate change, insisting that investment should focus on building resilience alongside generating returns.

Ask Cecilia Dapaah about flood control money – Dr Manteaw to Ghanaians

"Today, Ghana is saying with a loud voice that the financial architecture must support the future resilience of this country. Capital must not only seek returns; it must build resilience," he stressed.

Amissah commended the collaboration between the Bank of Ghana, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Insurance Commission, and other regulatory institutions in developing the Sustainable Finance Roadmap.

He also acknowledged the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in preparing the framework.

According to him, Ghana has already laid the foundation for sustainable finance through initiatives such as the Bank of Ghana's Sustainable Banking Principles and the Ministry of Finance's Green Finance Taxonomy.

"Ghana is not starting from zero. We have already taken steps to ensure our financial system is resilient and supports our sustainability goals," he said.

He urged banks, investors, and policymakers to move beyond commitments and implement sustainable finance practices in their decision-making.

"This must be a call to action. When banks are lending, we must ask whether they are taking sustainable finance into consideration. The decisions we make today will determine how resilient Ghana becomes in the face of climate change," he added.

ANAS/MA

Adehyeman CEO launches 'MiSika' digital financial service for entrepreneurs