EX TV GH People Matter
Ghana’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Hon. Seidu Issifu has called for global solidarity in addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, speaking at a high-level session at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. The event, “Addressing the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-Level Rise,” was organised by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility and UNOPS.
“The realities of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and loss of livelihoods are not future scenarios; they are realities we confront today,” the Minister stated, highlighting the impact of rising seas on Ghana’s 250-kilometre coastline, home to nearly a third of the population and 60% of industrial output.
Citing IPCC data, Hon. Issifu warned that global sea levels have risen by 20cm since 1900 and could climb by up to 1 metre by the end of the century, threatening up to 20% of Ghana’s land area and displacing over 5 million people.
Ghana is responding with initiatives like the Integrated Coastal Zone Management programme, promoting salt-tolerant crops, and supporting community-led relocation plans. The Minister called for stronger international cooperation, a “Coastal Resilience Pact,” and direct financing to frontline communities, stressing that the current loss and damage fund is insufficient.
“Developed nations must honour their commitments and ensure resources reach those most affected,” the Minister emphasized, framing the crisis as an opportunity for climate solidarity. “Ghana is ready to lead and partner because the health of our coast is the health of our planet.”
By: Christian Sowada
