Climate Change Now a Humanitarian and Security Threat – Upper East Minister

Upper East Regional Minister Akamugri Donatus Atanga has warned that climate change is no longer merely an environmental concern but has evolved into a major humanitarian, migration, development and security challenge.

According to him, the worsening effects of climate change are disrupting livelihoods and contributing to increased population movements into the Upper East Region, particularly from vulnerable areas of the Sahel.

“Climate change is no longer simply an environmental concern; it is increasingly a development, humanitarian, migration and security concern,” Mr Atanga said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when he addressed the Climate Talks 2026 in Bolgatanga, held under the theme, “Climate-Driven Migration and Its Security Impacts in the Upper East Region.”

The event, organised by Media General in collaboration with the German Embassy, took place at the Akayet Hotel in Bolgatanga under the broader theme, “Building Climate-Security Resilience in Ghana.”

Mr Atanga said the Upper East Region’s strategic location along Ghana’s northern frontier, sharing a border with Burkina Faso and situated close to Togo, had historically made it an important centre for trade, cultural exchange and regional integration.

However, he noted that the same geographical position had increasingly placed the region at the intersection of climate, migration and security pressures.

He explained that drought, erratic rainfall, land degradation and declining agricultural productivity across the Sahel were putting severe pressure on livelihoods, particularly for communities whose survival depended heavily on agriculture and natural resources.

“For families whose survival depends heavily on agriculture and natural resources, climate shocks can result in the loss of homes, livelihoods and their ability to provide for their families,” he said.

The Regional Minister further linked the growing displacement to insecurity and violent extremist activities in parts of the Sahel, which he said were forcing increasing numbers of people to seek safety and livelihoods in relatively stable neighbouring countries, including Ghana.

He disclosed that the Upper East Region was already experiencing increased movements of migrants and displaced populations as a result of these interconnected pressures.

While reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to its humanitarian obligations and its long-standing tradition of hospitality, Mr Atanga cautioned that the growing influx was also placing additional pressure on host communities and already limited public resources.

He therefore called for a coordinated national and regional response to the interconnected challenges of climate change, displacement, migration and insecurity, particularly in vulnerable communities along Ghana’s northern frontier.

“Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, no country, government or institution can address these challenges alone,” he said.

“We need a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, bringing together national institutions, security agencies, traditional authorities, local communities, development partners, research institutions, civil society and the private sector.”

Mr Atanga stressed that building resilience in the northern regions required not only emergency humanitarian interventions but also long-term investments in livelihoods, climate adaptation, community resilience and security.

He said addressing the root causes of climate-induced displacement would be critical to protecting vulnerable communities while safeguarding Ghana’s territorial security and social stability.