Lands Minister and acting Environment Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged world leaders to partner with Ghana and the African continent to drive a clean and sustainable global energy transition.
Speaking on behalf of President John Mahama at a high-level summit at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Minister said Africa’s natural endowments position it to make a transformative contribution to the world’s energy future.
He noted that the continent’s vast solar, wind and hydropower resources can be deployed to tackle the escalating global climate crisis, and called on the international community to collaborate with Africa to unlock that potential.
“The African position is clear. We are not asking for charity. We are asking for partnership in the truest sense,” he told the assembly on Thursday, November 8.
“We stand ready to be a powerhouse of green energy for the world. But we cannot do it alone.
“Therefore, on behalf of a continent poised at a pivotal moment in history, I call upon this assembly and our developed partners all over the world: We urge you to match our ambition with your action,” he added.
Armah-Kofi Buah also underscored the urgent need for global leaders to deliver on long-standing commitments to climate finance. He said predictable and accessible financing will enhance environmental preservation and help vulnerable communities adapt to climate impacts.
“The climate finance promised for so long must now flow, not just in words, but in predictable investments, concessional investments, and private-sector-leveraged investments that reach the communities who need them most,” he said.
“We need increased ambition for climate finance, with a significant portion dedicated to adaptation, and recognition of Africa’s special circumstances,” he emphasised.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to play a central role in addressing the climate crisis and called for deeper partnerships in technology, innovation and artificial intelligence.
“Let us leave Belém with a resolve to harness not only finance, but also technology, innovation and artificial intelligence to accelerate justice, equity and shared prosperity.
“From the Volta to the Western shores, Ghana stands ready to power Africa’s clean future,” he said.
COP30, hosted in the Brazilian city of Belém, is the world’s largest climate conference and brings together global leaders to accelerate emission reductions, scale up climate finance, and support nations most affected by climate impacts. The official opening is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, with negotiations and high-level dialogues set to follow.
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