Ghana Goes for Green Growth

This executive summary outlines Ghana's National Climate Change Policy Framework (NCCPF), a strategic initiative designed to ensure a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy. The document emphasizes that while Ghana's global contribution to climate change is negligible, the country faces substantial threats to its development goals, particularly in agriculture, coastal infrastructure, and poverty reduction. The NCCPF proposes a multi-sectoral response based on three primary objectives—low carbon growth, effective adaptation, and social development—supported by seven systemic pillars including governance, finance, and capacity building.

• The National Climate Change Policy Framework (NCCPF) aims to create a climate-resilient and compatible economy that achieves sustainable development and equitable low-carbon growth. This framework is integrated into the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) to help the country reach middle-income status by 2020.
• Climate change poses a significant threat to Ghana's economic assets and social fabric. The coastal zone is highly vulnerable to flooding, and the northern region has suffered severe climate shocks; for instance, 2007 floods in the north affected 317,000 people, destroyed 1,000 km of roads, and damaged 210 schools and 45 health facilities, costing approximately $25 million in emergency funding.
• Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, but it is highly vulnerable as small-scale farmers provide about 80% of domestic production and rely mostly on rainfall. While hunger was reduced by nearly 75% between 1990 and 2004, 18% of children under five remain underweight, and climate change threatens further food security.
• Ghana's natural forests are depleting rapidly, with a 2006 Country Environmental Analysis suggesting they could be lost within 23 years. Over 50% of original forests have been converted to agricultural land, and nearly 70% of the total land surface is prone to soil erosion.
• The government is pursuing a low-carbon growth path to avoid the emissions of a 'business as usual' scenario. This includes a target to generate 10% of energy from renewable resources by 2020 and utilizing the Jubilee oil field's gas to potentially generate 30% of current electricity needs.
• Climate change disproportionately affects the poorest populations, particularly in the north and urban pockets. Women are especially vulnerable as they produce 70% of subsistence crops and make up 52% of the labour force, contributing 46% of the total GDP, yet they face barriers in accessing land and financial services.
• The NCCPF is built on seven systemic pillars: Governance and coordination, Capacity building, Research and knowledge management, Finance, International cooperation, Communication, and Monitoring and reporting. This includes a proposal for a dedicated National Climate Change body and a Research Centre on Climate Change.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2010). Ghana Goes for Green Growth. https://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NCCPF-Summary-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Ghana Goes for Green Growth. 2010. https://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NCCPF-Summary-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Ghana Goes for Green Growth |date=November 2010 |url=https://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NCCPF-Summary-FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2010ghana, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Ghana Goes for Green Growth}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2010}, month = nov, url = {https://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NCCPF-Summary-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }