The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has called for stronger institutional coordination, sustainable financing and accountability mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles across Ghana’s economy.
Mahama Ayariga said integrating ESG considerations into government policies, institutional practices and private sector operations was essential to promoting responsible investment, protecting natural resources and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Addressing the Ghana National Climate and ESG Policy Summit 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, the Minister said Ghana must move beyond policy commitments to practical and measurable action.
“The integration of Environmental, Social and Governance principles into national policies, institutional practices and private-sector operations is therefore not merely a matter of compliance or corporate responsibility. It is a strategic imperative,” he said.
He stressed that effective implementation would require stronger coordination among government institutions, increased mobilisation of sustainable finance and meaningful partnerships with the private sector, development partners, academia and civil society.
The Minister also underscored the importance of transparency, institutional capacity and reliable data in ensuring that public and private institutions adopted credible sustainability practices.
He said institutions must strengthen their environmental and social risk management systems and report progress against clearly defined standards and measurable indicators.
According to him, the scale of the climate challenge requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach backed by sustained commitment, adequate financing and effective implementation.
He urged participants at the summit to develop practical policy recommendations, identify implementation gaps and propose innovative solutions suited to Ghana’s development needs.
The Minister said the summit should produce concrete institutional commitments and actionable strategies to strengthen climate resilience and promote ESG adoption across all sectors, including local government.
He welcomed plans for the summit to conclude with a National Communiqué, saying his ministry looked forward to its recommendations for local government and would work with the assemblies to implement them.
The summit was convened to promote dialogue and collaboration on climate change, sustainability and ESG policy, bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society.