Environmental Diplomacy and Climate Change Mitigation in West Africa: A Case Study of West Africa

Abstract

West Africa faces significant climate change impacts, affecting key sectors across the region. Ghana, as a coastal state, experiences challenges such as coastal erosion, while other West African countries endure drought and desertification, particularly in the Sahel region. This study investigates Ghana’s use of environmental diplomacy to address these climate vulnerabilities, aiming to assess the climate-related impacts in Ghana and across West Africa, evaluate Ghana’s existing climate policies, and explore the role of environmental diplomacy in enhancing adaptation strategies. The study was qualitative and employed the exploratory case study design to collect data. Secondary and primary data were gathered to address the objectives of the research. The study gathered primary data from 20 participants using the purposive sampling technique based on the knowledge and expertise of the participants on climate change and diplomacy through interviews. Content and thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data. Findings from the study reveal that climate change impacts several aspects of Ghana’s economy such as agriculture, health, and energy. Findings also reveal that climate change impacts are diverse across West Africa, shaped by geographical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors. Ghana’s climate policies, such as the NCCP – 2013 and NDC 2020 – 2030 demonstrate the country’s ambitions to adapt and build climate resilience, but their effectiveness is hampered by limited legal enforcement, dependency on foreign funding, and low public awareness. Findings further revealed that while the effective use of environmental diplomacy contributes to the mobilization of financial and technical support for climate adaptation in West Africa, challenges such as conflicting national interests persist. Key recommendations include establishing a national climate adaptation fund in Ghana to reduce foreign dependency and creating a joint climate action fund within ECOWAS to support regional initiatives. Enhanced diplomatic programs, such as a climate knowledge exchange within ECOWAS, are recommended to strengthen collaboration and region-wide resilience. This study concludes that while Ghana has made strides in climate adaptation, greater institutional support and regional cooperation are essential to mitigate climate change impacts effectively across West Africa.