The Parliament of Ghana has urged ECOWAS member states to enhance regional cooperation in tackling the interconnected challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement, and insecurity. This call was made during the opening of the Second Parliamentary Seminar and Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2026, held in Accra, Ghana. The theme of the event was “Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
According to Leader of the Ghanaian delegation, Hon. George Kwaku Ricketts Hagan, the region's challenges can no longer be addressed through isolated national responses. Climate and environmental problems, as well as insecurity and displacement, frequently cross national boundaries. He emphasized that parliamentarians have a critical responsibility to promote dialogue, accountability, good governance, peace, and sustainable development.
The Ghanaian Parliament identified climate change as a major threat, disrupting weather patterns, worsening floods and droughts, and placing additional pressure on already vulnerable natural resources. Deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources are weakening livelihoods and the resilience of communities across the sub-region. The Parliament also highlighted illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, as a significant environmental challenge.
The Parliament warned that environmental degradation has moved beyond an ecological concern to become a threat to economic security, livelihoods, public health, and the overall quality of life of citizens. It called for a broader understanding of security, saying responses should address human security, livelihoods, food systems, and environmental pressures alongside conventional security concerns. Competition over scarce resources could be intensified by climate change, while environmental degradation could force people from their communities.
The Ghanaian lawmakers advocated for greater emphasis on prevention, resilience, and preparedness rather than relying primarily on responses after crises have occurred. They urged ECOWAS lawmakers to develop and strengthen legislation covering environmental governance, climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and responsible management of natural resources. The Parliament also called for stronger regional mechanisms to manage displacement and protect displaced persons, refugees, and host communities.
The Ghanaian Parliament stressed that regional action is essential because environmental challenges do not respect national boundaries. It called for adequate financing for climate adaptation, sustainable development, peace, and security, warning that policies without necessary resources could remain largely aspirational. The Parliament also expressed support for the progressive realization of direct elections for members of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The seminar and extraordinary session aimed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and generate practical outcomes capable of addressing the region's pressing challenges. The programme brought together members of the ECOWAS Parliament, Ghana's Parliament, the diplomatic corps, ECOWAS institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders. Ricketts Hagan reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to ECOWAS, regional integration, parliamentary diplomacy, democratic governance, peace, and sustainable development.
Key points
- The Ghanaian Parliament has called on ECOWAS member states to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing climate change and insecurity.
- The Parliament emphasized the need for a broader understanding of security that includes human security, livelihoods, and environmental pressures.
- The seminar and extraordinary session aimed to generate practical outcomes to address the region's pressing challenges.
