The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged Parliament’s support for expanding a climate-smart shea initiative designed to empower rural women, strengthen livelihoods and protect Ghana’s fragile savannah ecosystem.
The commitment follows a courtesy call by the Ghana Climate Centre of Excellence, led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chauncia Wilis-Johnson, during which the organisation outlined its flagship shea and neem project that combines sustainable economic opportunities for women with environmental conservation and carbon sequestration efforts.
“Climate action becomes truly meaningful when it directly improves people’s lives. Initiatives that empower rural women while protecting the environment deserve national support and stronger policy backing,”
Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin,
Climate Action Linked to Community Development
The Ghana Climate Centre of Excellence used the engagement to brief the Speaker on several climate initiatives being implemented across the country, placing particular emphasis on its integrated shea and neem project.
According to the organisation, the initiative seeks to improve the livelihoods of women in northern Ghana through sustainable shea harvesting while simultaneously contributing to climate resilience by promoting carbon sequestration and environmental restoration.
The project is expected to enhance income generation for rural households while encouraging responsible management of Ghana’s natural resources.
Climate experts have increasingly identified community-led conservation projects as essential tools for addressing climate change while promoting inclusive economic development.
The Centre believes combining environmental protection with livelihood support creates long-term sustainability for vulnerable communities that depend heavily on natural resources.
Speaker Commends Innovative Shea Project
Responding to the presentation, Speaker Bagbin praised the Centre’s approach, describing the initiative as an example of how climate interventions can deliver tangible economic and social benefits.
He said that the shea industry remains one of the most important sources of income for thousands of women across northern Ghana and noted that strengthening the sector through climate-smart practices would produce lasting benefits for communities.
The Speaker further indicated that the project aligns with Parliament’s broader commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and women’s economic empowerment.
“The shea industry extends far beyond commerce; it provides livelihoods for countless women. Integrating climate resilience into that value chain strengthens families, supports communities and safeguards our environment for future generations,”
Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin,
He added that Ghana’s development agenda should increasingly prioritise initiatives capable of addressing environmental challenges while simultaneously improving the living standards of citizens.
Parliament Signals Policy Support
Speaker Bagbin also assured the delegation of Parliament’s readiness to support the expansion of the initiative through legislative and policy engagement.
He encouraged the Ghana Climate Centre of Excellence to engage the relevant parliamentary committees to explore opportunities for policy collaboration and possible funding support that could facilitate wider implementation of the programme.
According to him, strong partnerships between Parliament, civil society organisations and development institutions remain essential to advancing Ghana’s climate resilience agenda.
The Speaker noted that effective climate action requires coordinated efforts involving policymakers, local communities, development partners and the private sector.
He further urged other civil society organisations to adopt similarly community-focused approaches capable of delivering measurable environmental and socio-economic outcomes.
“Transformational development is achieved through collaboration. Parliament remains prepared to engage organisations whose interventions generate lasting value for both communities and the environment,”
Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin,
Centre Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Resilience
The Ghana Climate Centre of Excellence expressed appreciation for the Speaker’s encouragement and recognition of its work.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chauncia Wilis-Johnson reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working closely with government institutions, Parliament and other stakeholders to strengthen climate resilience across Ghana.
She emphasised that empowering women, restoring degraded landscapes and promoting sustainable livelihoods remain central to the organisation’s long-term strategy.
The Centre also reiterated its commitment to expanding innovative climate solutions capable of addressing environmental degradation while creating economic opportunities for vulnerable populations.
The shea and neem initiative forms part of broader efforts to demonstrate that climate action can generate direct benefits for communities through sustainable resource management, improved household incomes and ecosystem restoration.
As Ghana continues to confront the growing impacts of climate change, stakeholders increasingly recognise that locally driven initiatives combining environmental conservation with economic empowerment will play a critical role in building resilient communities and advancing the country’s sustainable development objectives.
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