Nexgen Deutsche-Afrik, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Simeone Mede and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), applauded the President’s decision, describing it as a timely institutional response to the escalating threats of climate change to national development.

According to the organisation, the creation of the Ministry signals a serious and urgent commitment to addressing climate-related challenges.

The statement urged the Presidency to equip the new Ministry with a clear mandate, dedicated budget, and mechanisms for inter-ministerial collaboration to ensure optimal effectiveness.
It emphasised that the Ministry’s focus should go beyond policy formulation to include implementation, monitoring, and routine climate impact assessments.

Citing World Bank data that predicts over 130 million people globally could fall into extreme poverty due to climate inaction, especially in developing countries, Nexgen Deutsche-Afrik warned that sectors like agriculture, energy, health, and water in Ghana are already suffering from erratic weather, land degradation, and rising temperatures.

The organisation commended recent government crackdowns on illegal mining in the Western and Central regions but urged President Mahama to fulfil his earlier commitment to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, rather than pursue partial amendments.

It noted that the current regulatory framework has failed to curb the ecological devastation and economic harm caused by illegal mining.
“We believe the growing call for the repeal of LI 2462 is in the right direction and will consolidate the government’s resolve in dealing with the menace,” the statement read.

Looking forward, Nexgen Deutsche-Afrik encouraged the government to prioritise green economic investments, especially as the organisation prepares to launch its “We Are the Earth” campaign, a pan-African initiative highlighting the economic impacts of climate change on marginalised communities and promoting climate justice.

The statement concluded by calling for urgent steps to reclaim degraded forests, water bodies, and farmland, and to foster Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that will drive renewable energy infrastructure.