​Much progress has been made, over a relatively short period of time, to develop a national policy framework for climate change in Ghana. The national policy, together with its accompanying draft master plan, provides detailed guidance to address the implementation challenges that confront the country’s response to climate change.

The current budget allocation for climate change relevant actions of GH₵ 637 million in 2014 (approximately US$ 210 million) represents a very low base upon which the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) has to build over the next five years to accomplish its objectives.

For several of the ministries highlighted in the NCCP master plan, the projected budget associated with the NCCP would transform the ministry. The biggest proposed increase is for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, which would require an almost ten-fold increase over the present budget allocation.

Much needs to be done at the local government level to secure implementation. At present there is little awareness of what the national climate change policy is, what it requires of sub-national government, and the likely level of spending necessary.

Felix Ankomah Asante, Simon Bawakyillenuo, Neil Bird, Nella Canales Trujillo, Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe and Nicholas Ashiabi