The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, key government agencies and technical experts, has convened a high-level stakeholder workshop in Accra to co-develop a national Disaster Management and Risk Finance Strategy Framework that will help the country respond more swiftly and effectively to climate-related disasters.

At a two-day high-level workshop in Accra, stakeholders from across government, civil society, and the private sector representatives from the Ministry of Finance, National Insurance Commission (NIC), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ghana Hydrological Authority, Ghana Meteorological Agency, civil society organizations, and leading risk modelling experts came together to co-create a strategic framework that aims to enhance Ghana’s ability to access timely and predictable financing in the wake of floods, droughts, and other natural hazards.

The initiative is a key part of UNDP’s global effort to strengthen financial resilience in vulnerable countries and is aligned with international commitments such as the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The objective of the workshop was to co-create a Disaster Management and Risk Finance Strategy Framework that will enable Ghana to access faster and more predictable financing in the face of floods, droughts, and other climate-related hazards.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Amina Sammo, National Coordinator for UNDP’s IRFF in Ghana, underscored the urgency of building systems that are inclusive and forward-thinking to serve the most vulnerable. 

“This strategy is not just about policy, financial instruments or risk models, it’s about real people. When disasters strike, it is informal workers like the kenkey and waakye sellers, koko vendors, charcoal traders in the inner cities and Zongo communities, as well as smallholder farmers, artisans and market women who are hit the hardest. We must ensure they are not left behind,” she said. 

Dr. Sammo highlighted innovative approaches such as parametric insurance, contingency planning, and risk layering as tools that can provide faster, more reliable responses during emergencies and reduce dependence on unpredictable humanitarian aid. She further underscored the alignment of the strategy with Ghana’s national development goals and global frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She called on stakeholders to take ownership of the strategy and integrate disaster risk financing into national policies, budgets, and planning processes.

The Lead Consultant, Prof. Asaah S. Mohammed, called for practical, data-driven, and locally informed solutions and announced that a follow-up session will be held in the coming weeks to review and validate the draft framework.

This collaborative effort represents a significant milestone toward building a resilient and shock-ready Ghana; one that is better prepared to protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and secure sustainable development in an era of increasing climate risk.