Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses: Ghana

The report finds that while most informal sector workers and traditional leaders in Ghana observe clear climate change signals, they are largely excluded from the development of national climate policies and have minimal knowledge of 'just transition' strategies. It highlights that COVID-19 restrictions severely impacted informal businesses, with many unable to access government stimulus packages due to lack of documentation or political patronage. The study recommends formalizing the role of Traditional Councils and worker associations in climate policy to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable transition.

• A vast majority of informal sector workers and traditional leaders have observed climate change signals over the last 10 to 20 years, specifically noting increased temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and amounts, and a higher frequency of weather-related storms.
• Climate change significantly impacts the livelihoods of informal workers through decreased agricultural production, intermittent power outages, and reduced availability of raw materials.
• Informal sector workers are largely marginalized in the creation of climate policies, with 92.5% of surveyed workers stating they played no role in the development of national climate change strategies.
• Knowledge of 'just transition' strategies is very low among informal workers and traditional leaders, though some identify the 'Planting for Food and Jobs' project as an example of such a strategy.
• COVID-19 restrictions caused a drastic drop in sales and customers for 88% of sampled informal workers, yet only 1.25% of respondents received assistance from government stimulus programs.
• Barriers to accessing COVID-19 financial assistance for informal workers included a lack of business documentation, lack of awareness, and perceived political bias favoring supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
• Traditional Councils, as custodians of land and water, are currently marginalized in the development of climate change policies in Ghana.
• Formal sector officials in environment and climate policy roles possess a strong understanding of NDCs and just transition strategies, contrasting with private sector trade representatives who generally lack this knowledge.

APA

Anaman, K. A., Quaye, R. M., & Anartey, P. (2021). Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses: Ghana. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ghana_Report_Formatted_Updated.pdf

Chicago

Anaman, Kwabena Asomanin, Ruth Maku Quaye, and Paul Anartey. Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses: Ghana. Climate Strategies, 2021. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ghana_Report_Formatted_Updated.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Anaman |first1=Kwabena Asomanin |last2=Quaye |first2=Ruth Maku |last3=Anartey |first3=Paul |title=Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses: Ghana |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=2021 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ghana_Report_Formatted_Updated.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{anaman2021incorporating, author = {Anaman, Kwabena Asomanin and Quaye, Ruth Maku and Anartey, Paul}, title = {{Incorporating Just Transition strategies in developing country NDCs and post COVID responses: Ghana}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2021}, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ghana_Report_Formatted_Updated.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }