Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse with reps from Jospong and other officials
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has launched the ‘Black Star Agenda’ to define the country’s position on international climate negotiations ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31).
Speaking at the launch under the theme, “Ghana’s Road to COP31: Strengthening Climate Diplomacy, Advancing National Priorities and Showcasing Ghana’s Leadership,” Prof. Klutse explained that the country has taken a significant step towards strengthening its participation and influence in international climate negotiations, with the document to guide the country’s engagement at the upcoming conference.
She added that the initiative was established to build a strong and technically competent team of climate negotiators capable of advancing Ghana’s national interests on the international stage.
Prof. Klutse emphasised that the initiative had gone beyond preparations for international negotiations to include sustained engagement with negotiators in Ghana, to ensure that discussions and outcomes from previous negotiations were translated into meaningful national action.
She said the Black Star Agenda would provide a clear direction for Ghana’s participation in climate negotiations, highlighting that the country is determined to participate actively and ensure its voice is heard.
“We don’t just want to attend; we want to participate, and we want our voices heard,” she stated.
The EPA CEO noted that the country’s negotiating positions must reflect its national development priorities, particularly in agriculture, technology transfer, energy transition, climate change, environmental protection and infrastructure development.
Prof. Klutse also highlighted the establishment of a national roster of experts on climate negotiations as another major achievement of the initiative, stressing that the roster is open to additional experts with the requisite knowledge and experience to contribute to Ghana’s climate diplomacy efforts.
She explained that the initiative is designed to build a sustainable pipeline of technically competent negotiators, strengthen institutional memory, as well as facilitate knowledge transfer between experienced and emerging negotiators.
She said this would help Ghana maintain a well-prepared negotiation team capable of effectively advancing the country’s interests across the three Rio Conventions.
The EPA CEO further underscored the importance of aligning the country’s negotiating positions with broader African priorities since Ghana chairs the African Group of Negotiators, indicating that many African countries face similar climate challenges and shared common development concerns, making collaboration and collective representation critical to achieving meaningful outcomes.
She added that Ghana must demonstrate leadership in climate diplomacy while ensuring that its national priorities remained central to its negotiating positions.
Prof. Klutse also acknowledged the contributions of development partners and other stakeholders, whose technical and institutional support had helped strengthen the initiative.
She commended the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology for providing policy direction and support, particularly acknowledging the minister’s commitment to strengthen Ghana’s climate negotiation process.
Meanwhile, the Jospong Group of Companies has donated $50,000 to the EPA ahead of COP 31.
The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations framework on climate change is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
By Florence Adom Asamoah