In a bold move to reshape Ghana’s business landscape for a sustainable future, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in partnership with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) to launch the Integrating Climate Action and ESG Principles into Commercial Business Activities (ICACE) project.

The initiative seeks to embed climate resilient actions, particularly Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Ghana climate policy actions (the Nationally Determined Contributions - NDCs and the National Adaptation Plans - NAPs) into everyday business operations, reaching from small informal traders to large formal enterprises, across the country.

The ICACE project responds to the growing risks climate change poses to Ghana’s economic stability and aims to build a business environment that not only contributes to Ghana Climate action ambitions but also globally competitive.

Ahead of the project's inception phase, representatives from CDKN and GNCCI held a series of strategic engagements to strengthen and advance their partnership to commercialise the project.

Expressing his strong support for the initiative, Mr. Stephane Miezan, President of the Chamber, emphasised the critical role of private sector actors in driving sustainable development in Ghana.

He highlighted the Chamber’s commitment to advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and promoting climate-smart business solutions across its network.

“It is in the Chamber’s interest to actively promote the mainstreaming and adoption of ESG principles and climate-smart business solutions among our members and supported enterprises,” he stated.

“This initiative represents more than a partnership; it is a strategic blueprint for strengthening private sector engagement and aligning our ecosystem with national and global climate action and sustainability goals.”

Representatives from CDKN and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) meet at the GNCCI Headquarters to align on the ICACE Project implementation, focused on mainstreaming ESG and climate action into business practices.

Mr. Miezan further welcomed the collaborative approach being taken to understand the current needs and capacities of the Chamber and its members. He expressed enthusiasm about establishing a dedicated climate desk within the Chamber to serve as a central hub for resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and mobilising action across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. “We believe this support will not only help us identify priority areas but also unlock opportunities for innovation and green investment,” he added.

Speaking at one of the meetings, Emelia Assiakwa, First Vice President of GNCCI, reaffirmed the Chamber’s inclusive approach, ensuring all members benefit from sustainability and innovation initiatives.

“We are not just looking at targeting only GNCCI members,” she said. “We are committed to reaching every business in Ghana, whether small, large, formal, or informal, so that they too can benefit from sustainability and climate-smart practices.”

This inclusiveness and internal interest reflect the project’s vision of creating a climate-resilient business ecosystem that supports both for-profit and nonprofit organisations, including women-led and youth-driven enterprises that often face systemic barriers in accessing finance and sustainability resources.

Project Scope and Strategy

The ICACE project will begin with a detailed needs assessment and scoping phase. This includes stakeholder consultations, focus group discussions, and needs assessments to identify knowledge gaps in climate policy awareness, ESG integration, and access to sustainable financing for private sector climate action initiatives.

The ICACE project manager, Mr. Maxwell Beganim emphasised that CDKN will provide technical expertise and lead the development of a baseline analytical report, offering evidence-based recommendations to guide the rollout of targeted interventions. The project will also explore the establishment of a Climate Action Desk within the Chamber to coordinate ongoing sustainability efforts.

The possible expected outcomes from the project include:

• Increased awareness and understanding of climate-related risks, ESG principles, and sustainable practices among Ghanaian businesses, especially SMEs, women-led, and youth-driven enterprises. 
• Enhanced resilience and competitive advantage of GCCI members through adoption of ESG and climate-responsive business practices. 
• Strengthened institutional capacity of GCCI through the establishment of a dedicated Climate and Sustainability Department. 
• Improved access to funding and investment opportunities for businesses committed to sustainable practices. 
• Stronger partnerships and collaboration between private sector, government entities, and civil society organisations on climate action and ESG integration.

Inclusive Growth and Innovation

A core focus of the partnership is ensuring equity in climate action delivery. The project will deliver tailored support to women-led SMEs and youth entrepreneurs, particularly those from tertiary institutions, to build their capacity in climate leadership and innovation.

Dr. Prince Ansah, CDKN Ghana’s Country Manager, explained that the scoping phase of the initiative will run for a 12-month and proceed with a possible implementation phase based on the recommendations. “We’ll work closely with the Chamber to assess the needs of its members and network and develop a full report, followed by a proposal for implementation to the CDKN Global programme and the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC)” he said. “The remaining period will focus on reviewing and finalising the proposal for submission to the CDKN Global Team and the Chamber. It’s a joint process built on collaboration, shared data, and strategic alignment.”

“This is not just a partnership; it’s a timely intervention,” said Ms. Valerie Nutakor, CDKN Ghana’s Country Programme Coordinator. “Our goal is to understand the current scope and co-create solutions with GNCCI that elevate their leadership in sustainability and help position the Chamber as a model for others in line with their mandate, with potential for scale up within the sub-region and the regional level as well.”

A Bold Step Toward a Greener Future

As implementation begins, the ICACE project signals a new direction for Ghana’s private sector, one where resilience, sustainability, and ethical governance are central to business strategy.

By providing this support, enterprises of all sizes will have access to the tools and relevant knowledge to manage climate risks and seize green opportunities.  The partnership between CDKN and GNCCI is paving the way for a more inclusive and climate-smart economy.

At a time when environmental and economic uncertainties are intensifying, this initiative offers a timely and transformative response, placing Ghana’s business community at the forefront of Africa’s green transition.