Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched the National Climate and Environmental Communication Initiative (NCECI) under the theme “Empowering Voices for a Sustainable Future.”
The initiative aims to strengthen public understanding, improve access to accurate climate information, and inspire behavioural change toward sustainability across all levels of society.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday 21 October, the Executive Director of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, underscored the urgent need to bridge the communication gap between scientific evidence and public awareness on climate and environmental issues.
She said effective communication remains a key driver in mobilising collective action for climate resilience and sustainable development.
“Across the world, climate change continues to trend — and Ghana has our fair share of the challenges. Rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and environmental degradation are affecting lives and livelihoods,” she noted. “It is not enough to have the knowledge; we must ensure that every Ghanaian engages with it and takes action.”
Prof. Klutse highlighted that the NCECI seeks to build the capacity of journalists, public institutions, and community communicators to report on environmental issues with accuracy and creativity, ensuring that information shared with the public is both factual and relatable.
She emphasized that climate communication is not merely about informing the public, but also about persuading and mobilising communities to adopt sustainable practices.
“We must empower artisans, market women, and ordinary citizens who experience environmental change daily. For instance, the waste generated at public events such as funerals shows the need for stronger awareness and practical change at the community level,” she added.
Prof Klutse called for broad stakeholder collaboration, stressing that Ghana’s success in climate action and environmental management depends on the effective implementation of the initiative.
“Our existence as a nation and our development priorities rest on the success of this launch,” she said.
The EPA Director expressed appreciation to the agency’s partners, including Knutsford University, which serves as the academic anchor for the initiative, and international collaborators working to close the global climate knowledge gap.
The National Climate and Environmental Communication Initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by promoting clear, accessible, and evidence-based communication on climate and environmental issues — from the classroom to Parliament.
Prof. Klutse affirmed the EPA’s commitment to leading the effort, saying the initiative would thrive on partnerships and knowledge sharing to position Ghana as a well-informed and climate-resilient nation.
