Ghana must leverage AfCFTA to unlock climate finance, green technology – Zanetor

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, has urged Ghana to harness the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to secure climate finance and access green technologies. During her appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on August 27, she emphasized that while developed nations have pledged financial assistance to climate-vulnerable countries, including Ghana, the promised funds have not been forthcoming.

In response to this, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings suggested that Ghana should explore alternative avenues, such as South-South cooperation, to bridge the gaps in climate financing. She proposed that strategic partnerships with countries facing similar climate challenges but possessing distinct technological, financial, or other advantages could be mutually beneficial.

These partnerships should align closely with Ghana’s development priorities to optimize opportunities in climate finance and green technology. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings also highlighted the AfCFTA as a potentially crucial platform for enhancing cooperation on climate-related investments and technology across the continent. She believed that leveraging the AfCFTA could facilitate the access to climate finance and green technologies that Ghana urgently needs.

Her remarks coincide with the increasing demand for African nations to gain broader access to climate finance to support their efforts in adaptation, mitigation, and the transition towards greener economies.