News:
September 22, 2026
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially opened the Second Parliamentary Seminar and Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra, urging member states to adopt unified responses to the interconnected challenges of climate change, insecurity, and population displacement. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, she welcomed the Honourable Speaker and members of the regional body, stating that Ghana was honoured to host the important engagements.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President noted that the theme of the seminar reflected a convergence of challenges defining West Africa’s development and security landscape. She emphasized that environmental degradation and climate change continue to impact livelihoods and food security, pressures which are exacerbated by growing insecurity. “The interconnected nature of these challenges requires unified responses,” she stated, calling on member states to strengthen cooperation and develop coordinated regional approaches that address both immediate effects and underlying causes.
She highlighted the critical role of the ECOWAS Parliament as a link between community institutions and the people of West Africa. Reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the ideals of continental integration pioneered by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, she stressed that the strength of ECOWAS must be felt in the daily lives of citizens through easier trade, freer movement, and greater security. As a practical example, she cited recent work at the Akanu joint border post between Ghana and Togo, urging parliamentarians to scrutinize regional commitments and build the political support needed to turn policies into results.
Turning to the humanitarian crisis, the Vice President described population displacement as one of the most serious consequences of the region’s pressures, noting that millions remain forcibly displaced across the Sahel and coastal states. She emphasized that insecurity and environmental stress in one part of the region increasingly put pressure on another, necessitating a response that combines security, development, and climate resilience. She also pointed to Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen resilience, including the second phase of the Blukusu Coastal Protection Project.
The Vice President further warned that insecurity must be addressed beyond its immediate manifestations. She noted that prolonged exclusion and limited prospects for education and employment can allow criminal and extremist groups to exploit the frustrations of young people. “Creating opportunities, strengthening communities, investing in education and skills all amount to investing in peace,” she said, calling for the full implementation and resourcing of ECOWAS instruments for disaster risk reduction, climate action, and early warning.
Concluding her address, she called for a strengthened collective voice to secure climate finance and investments in resilient agriculture, water management, and clean energy. She expressed confidence that the seminar would yield practical recommendations for a stronger regional response, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to working closely with member states to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Ghanamps.com