The Deputy Director for Adaptation, Climate Resilience, and Risk Management at the Environmental Protection Authority, Stella Okoh, says 39 districts have so far been covered under Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

Speaking on JoyNews’ National Dialogue on News Desk under the theme “Building a Climate Resilient Future,” on March 30 she stressed that climate change impacts will persist even if emissions are halted today.

According to her, the current effects of climate change are the result of years of accumulated emissions, which is a critical priority.

She explained that this necessity informed the development of the National Adaptation Plan, which was officially launched in December last year.

Ms. Okoh emphasised that the NAP is not just a policy document but a costed plan, with clearly defined financial requirements attached to each priority action.

She noted that the plan is structured along two levels: national and sub-national.

At the national level, she said five key sectors have been prioritised: water, agriculture, ecosystems and biodiversity, urban and city development, and health.

She added that gender has been integrated as a cross-cutting priority across all sectors, ensuring inclusivity in implementation.

Additionally, she highlighted the contribution of civil society, noting that a youth-led strategy was developed to promote inclusiveness as part of the NAP process.

“At the sector level, we have conducted climate vulnerability assessments to identify risks and guide interventions,” she said.

Touching on progress at the sub-national level, Ms. Okoh stated that 39 districts have so far been covered, exceeding the initial target of 10 districts under the NAP project.

She attributed this expansion to support from development partners, including WaterAid, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, International Institute for Sustainable Development, among others.

She said these collaborations have helped scale up climate adaptation planning at the local level, ensuring districts are better equipped to respond to climate risks.

Ms. Okoh reiterated that inclusivity and community engagement remain central to the success of the National Adaptation Plan.