CCLG-Africa Welcomes Zanetor, Ayariga’s Appointments, Calls for Bold Climate and Governance Reforms
Climate Communications and Local Governance-Africa (CCLG-Africa) has congratulated Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga on their appointments and subsequent swearing-in as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs respectively.
President John Dramani Mahama swore the two ministers into office on Saturday, August 29, 2026, following their approval by Parliament.
In a statement, CCLG-Africa urged the new ministers to provide strong, accountable and people-centred leadership as they assume responsibility for two portfolios it considers critical to Ghana’s sustainable development.
The organisation particularly welcomed Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ appointment, describing it as timely given the pressing environmental and climate challenges confronting the country.
It called on the Environment Minister to adopt “fair, firm and fearless leadership” in tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as well as the degradation of Ghana’s forests, rivers and other ecosystems.
“CCLG-Africa urges Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to provide fair, firm and fearless leadership in confronting illegal mining and the degradation of Ghana’s forests, rivers and other ecosystems, while strengthening science-based environmental governance, regulation and enforcement,” the statement said.
The organisation also called for an “all-of-society and whole-of-government approach” to addressing Ghana’s environmental crisis, stressing the need for closer collaboration among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, the Environmental Protection Authority, civil society organisations, academia, the media, development partners, women and youth groups, and affected communities.
CCLG-Africa further encouraged Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to make climate communication, community engagement and local-level climate action integral to the Ministry’s work.
According to the organisation, Ghana’s environmental and climate commitments would only achieve lasting results if policies were properly understood, embraced and implemented at the community and grassroots levels.
“National environmental and climate commitments will have a lasting impact only when policies are understood, owned and implemented at the community and grassroots level,” it said.
CCLG-Africa also pledged its support and cooperation to both ministers, particularly in advancing Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and exploring opportunities under Article 6 for international cooperation on climate action.
The organisation said the mandates of the Environment Ministry and the Local Government Ministry were closely interconnected, arguing that effective decentralisation, sanitation, spatial planning, waste management, community participation and accountable local institutions were essential to achieving sustainable environmental outcomes.
It therefore expressed its readiness to work with Mr Ayariga and his ministry to strengthen climate-responsive local governance and ensure that communities become active partners in Ghana’s sustainable development.
CCLG-Africa is a network of media professionals, environmental experts and local governance practitioners working at the intersection of climate communication, environmental sustainability, public policy and grassroots governance.
The organisation said its work focuses on localising climate action through education and community engagement,
building the capacity of climate advocates, facilitating stakeholder dialogue and knowledge-sharing, promoting environmental justice and sustainable ecosystems, strengthening government accountability, and championing effective natural resource governance.
CCLG-Africa wished Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Mr Mahama Ayariga “wisdom, courage and success” as they take on their new national responsibilities.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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