Ghana

Core analysis conducted and presented by Mathew Azure Awini and Ruth Hollands (mentor) of Ghana in October 2022.

Executive Summary

On youth and gender inclusion, Ghana is rated as: above average.

Though Ghana, as a developing country, contributes little to global greenhouse gas emissions, in its updated NDC, the country has set forth very ambitious emissions reduction targets and other national documents that outline policies to cut emissions from all sectors. With the updated NDCs, Ghana aims to implement 34 mitigation measures to achieve absolute emission reductions of 64 MtCO2e by 2030. This level of reduction would lead to the avoidance of at least 2,900 premature deaths annually from improved air quality, create 1 million decent and green jobs, and benefit 38 million people (mostly youth and women). However, without foreign, private, and philanthropic investment support of US$ 9.3 to 15.5 billion, the 47 nationally determined contributions outlined will not be achievable.

On gender, women serving or led institutions and groups were involved in the consultations for the NDC, which was also informed by the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection’s climate change and gender-related indictors and programs. Further, the NDC mandated the operationalization of a gender and climate change subcommittee under the National Climate Change Steering Committee and developed specific actions to support women agriculturalists.

On youth, young people participated in consultations and recognized as a vulnerable group. It also outlines the COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (CARES) intended to safeguard decent jobs for young people; however, there is not necessarily connection to green jobs. Though the NDC mentions youth and offers few policies to ensure their inclusivity and needs, it does not state how the most vulnerable youth living in the most remote and underserved communities will be included in the future.

Recommendations:

  • Combatting illegal mining activities that threaten limited water resources many woman agriculturalists depend on should be further considered in the NDC.

  • An enabling platform for continuous consultation and involvement of young people, especially from remote and underserved areas, should be created.

  • Creation of a legal framework that compels successive governments to stick to the NDC pledges and complete actions that were commenced by previous government. 

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NDC Ambassador Matthew Azure Awini is a young Climate Change and Environmental Advocate from Ghana. He was the President for Young Reporters for Environment - Ghana (YRE-Ghana) - Knutsford Campus. Additionally he is a volunteer with the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) and a member of the of Youth Climate Council (YCC). He is also a member of the World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW) research group. Currently, he is a member of the Care About Climate (CAC) NDCs and Communication Teams and works as the Research and Programs Associate at Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica). As an advocate and researcher, Matthew has experience in the Ghanaian climate policies and actions of government towards it achievement. He has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (Human Resource Management) at Knutsford University College and other certificates in climate and environment.