The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Africa and emphasized the need for resilience and private-sector involvement in addressing these challenges.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday, February 14, he underscored the disproportionate burden Africa bears despite being one of the least contributors to global emissions.
He noted that climate change is a significant driver of poverty across the continent, affecting livelihoods and displacing families. Citing the drastic shrinkage of Lake Chad, which is now twenty times smaller than it once was, President Mahama explained how this has disrupted the lives of families who relied on the lake for sustenance.
According to him, many of these displaced individuals have been forced to migrate southward into coastal countries, leading to tensions between herders and farmers over limited resources.
He stressed that Africa’s development is more complex than merely securing trade opportunities and capital. The region’s vulnerabilities to climate change require innovative approaches to build resilience, particularly within the private sector.
He acknowledged that while state-led development has been the traditional model, there is growing potential for the African private sector to drive economic progress through technology and innovation.
According to President Mahama, creating an enabling environment for the private sector will be pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges of climate change, fostering economic growth, and reducing poverty across the continent.
