In a bold and timely move, ActionAid Ghana is set to host a second high-level National Civil Society–Government Dialogue on Financing for Development (F4D) under the theme: ‘Reviewing Development Financing for People and Planet: A Civil Society–Government Dialogue for Systemic Reform’.
The Dialogue brings urgent attention to Ghana’s rising debt crisis, climate vulnerability, and
shrinking fiscal space, calling for a total rethink of how the country finances its development—and at what cost.
At a time when climate disasters are intensifying, aid is dwindling, and debt repayments are consuming public budgets, the Dialogue is convening civil society, youth groups, and key government ministries to chart a new path forward that centres on people and the planet.
“We cannot afford to trade our climate future for unsustainable debt. Ghana’s poorest
communities—especially women and youth—are on the frontlines of both debt and climate
crises,” said John Nkaw, Country Director.
“This Dialogue is not just about policies, it’s about survival. We need financing
solutions that work for people, not just creditors.”
Ghana’s total central government debt reached GH¢608 billion (approximately US$52
billion) at the end of 2023—a 36% increase in one year—while the country faces increased
flooding, erratic rainfall, and heatwaves linked to climate change.
At the same time, illicit financial flows and regressive tax systems continue to bleed resources that could fund climate adaptation, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods.
Furthermore, ActionAid Ghana and similar developmental organizations have made numerous calls for a fair climate transition in recent years, with key demands for;
• Gender-responsive, climate-sensitive tax reforms to raise domestic revenue fairly
and sustainably.
• To end Illicit Financial Flows, which cost Africa an estimated $88.6 billion annually,
that should be invested in climate resilience and development.
• A shift from fossil fuels to a just green energy transition that benefits all Ghanaians.
• Reframing financing for food systems through agroecology—a climate-friendly, debtfree path to food sovereignty.
Top discussion topics include:
• Innovative and Practical Solutions to Financing for Development in Ghana-A Civil
Society Perspective
• Re-evaluating Financing Government Development Interventions in the face of
dwindling Foreign Aid.
• Financing a Just Green Energy Transition to reduce dependency on Fossil Fuels
• The Cost of Inaction: Why Ghana must Find Bold and New Ways of Financing Climate
Justice Now
• Financing Agroecology for Food Sovereignty: A People Powered Alternative for Climate Resilient and Debt-Free development.
Participants include leading civil society groups such as OXFAM, ISODEC, FIDA Ghana,
Activista Ghana, YUWM Ghana, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), and technical agencies like UN Habitat, Natural Resource Governance Institute.
Government actors include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Gender, NDPC, Bank of Ghana, and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
The National Dialogue seeks to amplify the voices of communities most affected by both
debt and climate injustice—particularly women, youth, and rural populations—and push for
transformational financing frameworks that prioritize sustainability, equity, and justice
