Climate Change and Agricultural Policy Processes in Ghana

Abstract

This working paper examines emerging policy debates around climate change and agriculture in Ghana and considers how international climate priorities interact with the country’s own agricultural and development objectives.

The study explores the main areas of disagreement within climate change and agricultural policy, the government institutions, donors and other actors supporting different positions, and the extent to which these perspectives influence the interventions receiving policy attention and funding.

The analysis shows that a dominant policy approach presents climate change as an external risk to Ghana’s efforts to modernise agriculture and use the sector as an engine of economic growth and poverty reduction. This framing has encouraged strong interest in technologies, financing and measures intended to make agriculture more resilient to climate-related risks.

At the same time, alternative perspectives place greater emphasis on adaptation and on ensuring that Ghana’s climate policies reflect domestic development priorities rather than being driven primarily by international funding structures. The paper argues that limited coordination among competing interests and weak civil-society engagement can result in fragmented policy responses.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding the political and institutional processes that determine which climate change and agricultural priorities gain influence in Ghana.