The ECOWAS Parliament, led by Speaker Madam Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, has convened in Accra for a seven-day seminar on climate change. The event, which began on September 21, 2026, brings together Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss the human impact of climate disruption in West Africa. The seminar's theme, "Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region," highlights the urgent need for climate resilience in the region.
Madam Mémounatou Ibrahima emphasized that climate disruption can no longer be measured solely in statistics or projections. Instead, she urged MPs to consider the human cost of climate change, including land degradation, coastline erosion, and loss of livelihoods. The Speaker framed the climate question as a profoundly human issue, rather than just an environmental one. She called on parliamentarians to blend technical expertise with lived realities from their constituencies to produce practical proposals.
The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is the legislative arm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It serves as a forum for dialogue, consultation, and consensus-building among West African nations to promote regional integration. The seminar aims to connect the realities of climate change in different territories and consider appropriate responses. Madam Mémounatou Ibrahima encouraged MPs to focus on substance over solemnity, emphasizing the need for concrete actions.
The joint solemn opening of the extraordinary session and the seminar, originally scheduled for September 21, will now take place on September 22, 2026. Despite the change, the Speaker stressed that this should not diminish the importance of getting straight to work. She invited MPs and guests to observe a minute of silence in memory of Ghana's first prime minister and president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, on the occasion of Founder's Day.
Madam Mémounatou Ibrahima honored Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana for remembering him with Founder's Day. She noted that September 21 carries special resonance in Ghana, as it marks the day when Ghana's independence was inseparable from a far greater ambition: a free, united Africa. The Speaker's remarks underscored the significance of the seminar and the importance of regional cooperation in addressing climate change.
The seminar will feature discussions on climate resilience, environmental degradation, and population displacement. MPs will deliberate on practical proposals to address these challenges and promote sustainable development in the ECOWAS region. The event provides a platform for parliamentarians to share experiences, expertise, and best practices in addressing climate change.
The ECOWAS Parliament's climate seminar in Accra concludes on September 27, 2026. The outcome of the seminar is expected to contribute to the development of effective climate change policies and strategies in the ECOWAS region. Key recommendations and resolutions from the seminar will likely inform regional efforts to address the human impact of climate disruption.
Key points
- ECOWAS Parliament Speaker calls for "substance over solemnity" at climate seminar in Accra
- Seminar focuses on human impact of climate change in West Africa
- Event aims to promote climate resilience and regional cooperation in the ECOWAS region
