Ghana is winning on climate action- Elikem Kotoko sells Ghana’s climate success story to Global Investors in London
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Elikem Kotoko, has positioned Ghana as a leading destination for climate-smart investment, highlighting the country’s growing successes in sustainable development, environmental protection, and carbon market participation.
Speaking at the Ghana-UK Summit in London, Mr. Kotoko called for stronger investment in climate action and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, stressing that sustainability has become central to economic growth, business competitiveness, and long-term resilience.
According to him, ESG principles have evolved beyond corporate sustainability reporting and are now influencing investment decisions across the globe.
“Today, ESG is no longer simply a sustainability reporting framework. It has become a key driver of investment decisions, business competitiveness, risk management, and long-term economic resilience,” he stated.
Mr. Kotoko emphasized that climate change should not be viewed solely as an environmental issue but also as a social and governance concern that requires inclusive solutions.
“The social dimension reminds us that climate action must improve livelihoods, create jobs, empower women and youth, and ensure that local communities benefit from sustainable development,” he said.
The Forestry Commission deputy CEO highlighted several flagship initiatives being implemented by Ghana, including the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme and the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project. He noted that the programmes are contributing significantly to land restoration efforts, reducing carbon emissions, and improving the livelihoods of local communities.
He further disclosed that Ghana is actively participating in international carbon markets while creating investment opportunities in agroforestry, ecological restoration, ecotourism, and biodiversity conservation.
“Investors are increasingly looking for opportunities that generate both financial returns and measurable environmental and social impacts. This presents a significant opportunity for Ghana,” Mr. Kotoko noted.
He, however, stressed that attracting sustainable investment requires strong governance structures, transparency, and accountability to build investor confidence and ensure long-term success.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kotoko identified increased investment in nature-based solutions, equitable access to climate finance for local communities, stronger governance systems, and enhanced private sector participation as critical priorities for Ghana’s climate agenda.
“Public finance alone will not be sufficient to address the climate challenge,” he said, calling for greater collaboration between governments, development partners, and private investors.
Concluding his address, Mr. Kotoko urged stakeholders to reimagine the value of forests beyond conservation, describing them as strategic assets capable of driving economic transformation and climate resilience.
“For Ghana, forests are no longer only conservation assets. They are climate assets, development assets, and investment assets,” he stressed.
