Mahama Calls on Global North to Honour Climate‑Finance Pledges as Ghana Readies for COP30
In a stark appeal delivered on Tuesday, November 3 2025, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama urged developed countries to fulfil their commitments on climate finance ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil. Addressing Ghana’s diplomatic community and a visiting German delegation led by President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier during his state visit to Ghana, President Mahama stated that nations in the “Global North” have repeatedly pledged support to developing countries but consistently fallen short in delivering. He emphasised that those historically most responsible for emissions must step up with funding so vulnerable countries like Ghana can adapt to climate change and protect communities.
For Ghana—and wider Africa—the gap between climate‑finance promises and actual disbursement has concrete consequences: increased flooding, droughts, food insecurity, and rising adaptation costs. President Mahama’s remarks underscore the frustration of African governments that the burden of climate impacts is borne disproportionately although the continent contributes only a small share of global emissions. Reports indicate Africa emits less than 4 % of global greenhouse gases yet commits around 2 % of GDP on adaptation, receiving under 12 % of global climate funds.
As Ghana launches its national negotiation team for COP30, this message frames its agenda: securing predictable, timely finance rather than recycled pledges.
What Did Mahama Say?
- President Mahama asserted that while developed countries routinely make pledges at international conferences, the “delivery” on those commitments remains very weak.
- He urged that countries that are the largest polluters should take leadership in providing “cash upfront” so that developing nations can draw from funds to deal with climate change’s adverse effects.
- He insisted that the fight against climate change is not only about mitigation, but also adaptation — ensuring that affected countries can protect lives and livelihoods.
The upcoming COP30, scheduled to be held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025, will place a major emphasis on climate‑finance for adaptation, especially for developing countries. International reports show that adaptation finance remains far below estimated needs, leaving countries like Ghana struggling to meet the impacts of rising temperatures, floods, and extreme weather events.
For Ghana, this matters: the country recently launched its national negotiation team for COP30, with dedicated leads for climate finance, loss and damage, technology, and response measures.
Ghana is vulnerable on multiple fronts: coastal communities face sea‑level rise, small‑holder farmers in the north face drought and erratic rainfall, and informal workers are often first to lose out when disasters strike.
A local report found that only a small fraction of climate finance globally is directed at approaches that prioritise workers, women, and communities — directly affecting Ghana’s ability to build inclusive green jobs and sustainable agriculture.
During bilateral talks with Brazil ahead of COP30, Ghana has advocated for climate‑finance mechanisms such as debt‑for‑climate swaps, simplified access to funds, and improved forest-governance partnerships between the Amazon and West Africa.
President Mahama’s intervention reflects a broader African narrative: that climate responsibility must align with climate finance. If wealthier countries delay or under-deliver on funding commitments, it undermines trust and may weaken global cooperation.
For Africa to transition fairly—protecting vulnerable communities while pursuing low-carbon growth—predictable and accessible finance is essential. Without it, adaptation, resilience, and nature-based solutions will lag, widening inequality.
At COP30, the issue of finance is not peripheral—it is central. The question is whether wealthy nations will step up to match their historical responsibility with tangible support.
President Mahama’s call to action underscores a key moment for Ghana and other African countries: as the world heads into COP30, the issue is not only what is promised, but what is delivered. For Ghana, the coming weeks present an opportunity to convert international rhetoric into measurable funding, implementation, and domestication of climate goals. Whether wealthy countries answer this call will influence not only Ghana’s climate resilience but the credibility of the global climate regime.
