Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang calls for stronger ECOWAS cooperation on climate change
Story by: Regina Bless
Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has called for stronger regional cooperation and increased investment in communities as West Africa confronts the growing effects of climate change, including environmental degradation, population displacement and insecurity.
The Vice President made the call in Accra during the joint opening of the Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament and the Second Parliamentary Seminar of 2026, held under the theme, “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
Prof. Opoku Agyemang noted that climate change is increasingly disrupting livelihoods and contributing to displacement and insecurity across the West African region. She stressed that because these challenges transcend national borders, regional responses must also go beyond individual countries.
She emphasised the need for greater cooperation among ECOWAS member states, alongside sustained investment in communities to strengthen their ability to withstand and recover from climate-related pressures.
According to the Vice President, protecting livelihoods and strengthening food security are not only important development priorities but are also critical to maintaining peace and stability across the region.
She further highlighted the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in ensuring that regional integration delivers tangible benefits to citizens, particularly in areas such as freedom of movement, trade, employment and access to opportunities across West Africa.
Prof. Opoku Agyemang said Ghana’s commitment to regional integration is deeply rooted in its history, tracing back to the Pan-African vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the contributions of successive governments.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working towards a more united, integrated and prosperous West Africa, where regional cooperation can help address shared challenges and improve the lives of citizens.