Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger regional cooperation among ECOWAS member states to address the growing effects of climate change in West Africa. She made this appeal in Accra on September 22, 2026, during the joint opening of the ECOWAS Parliament's Second Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar. The session's theme was "Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region."
The Vice President noted that climate change is increasingly affecting West Africa, disrupting livelihoods, displacing populations, and growing insecurity. She emphasized that these challenges transcend national boundaries, requiring a coordinated regional response. According to her, greater cooperation among ECOWAS member states and investment in vulnerable communities are necessary to help populations withstand and recover from climate-related pressures.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang stressed that protecting livelihoods and strengthening food security should be viewed as development priorities and essential measures for promoting peace and stability across the region. She highlighted the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in ensuring that regional integration translates into tangible benefits for citizens. The success of regional integration, she said, should be reflected in how easily citizens can move, trade, work, and pursue opportunities across West Africa.
The Vice President also linked Ghana's commitment to regional integration to the country's historical Pan-African vision, citing the contribution of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and successive governments to the integration agenda. She reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to efforts aimed at building a more united, integrated, and prosperous West Africa. This commitment, she emphasized, is crucial for addressing the region's challenges and promoting sustainable development.
The ECOWAS Parliament's session brought together lawmakers and stakeholders to discuss the region's pressing issues, including climate change, environmental degradation, and insecurity. The Vice President's call for stronger regional cooperation and investment in vulnerable communities resonated with participants, who acknowledged the need for collective action to address these challenges. The session provided a platform for ECOWAS member states to share experiences and best practices in addressing climate change and its impacts.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang's advocacy for regional cooperation and investment in vulnerable communities aligns with Ghana's efforts to promote sustainable development and peace in the region. Her engagement with the ECOWAS Parliament and other stakeholders reflects the government's commitment to addressing the region's challenges and promoting a more integrated and prosperous West Africa. The Vice President's message emphasized the need for a united and coordinated approach to addressing climate change and its impacts.
The ECOWAS Parliament's Second Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar concluded with a renewed commitment to regional cooperation and collective action to address the region's pressing challenges. The Vice President's participation and advocacy for stronger regional cooperation and investment in vulnerable communities contributed to the session's outcomes and the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development and peace in West Africa.
Key points
- Vice President Opoku-Agyemang calls for stronger regional cooperation to address climate change in West Africa.
- The ECOWAS Parliament's session focused on climate change, environmental degradation, and insecurity in the region.
- Ghana reaffirms its commitment to regional integration and efforts to build a more united, integrated, and prosperous West Africa.
