Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger regional cooperation among ECOWAS member states to address the growing impact of climate change on livelihoods, population displacement and security in West Africa.
She made the call in Accra when she joined the ECOWAS Parliament for the joint opening of its Second Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar of 2026.
The event was held under the theme: “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the effects of climate change were increasingly visible across the region through disrupted livelihoods, displacement and growing insecurity.
According to her, the challenges transcend national borders and therefore require a coordinated regional response.
She emphasised the need for greater investment in communities to strengthen their ability to withstand and recover from climate-related pressures.
The Vice President said protecting livelihoods and strengthening food security were not only development priorities but also essential to maintaining peace and stability across the region.
She further highlighted the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in ensuring that regional integration delivers tangible benefits to citizens, particularly in facilitating movement, trade, employment and access to opportunities across West Africa.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said Ghana’s commitment to regional integration was deeply rooted in the country’s history, citing the Pan-African vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, as well as the contributions of successive governments.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working towards a more united, integrated and prosperous West African region.
