Today, I joined colleagues from across West Africa for the joint opening of the Second Parliamentary Seminar and Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2026 here in Accra.
The discussions are taking place at an important time for our sub-region and under an equally important theme: “Climate Change as a Factor of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
Climate change can no longer be treated simply as an environmental issue.
Across West Africa, its consequences are increasingly evident in the loss of livelihoods, pressure on land and water resources, food insecurity, displacement of communities and growing pressure on already vulnerable populations. These conditions can, in turn, deepen existing social and security challenges.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, captured this reality clearly in her address. She called on parliamentarians to help translate international climate commitments into effective legislation, adequately funded policies and tangible improvements in the lives of our people.
I strongly share that view.
As parliamentarians, our responsibility does not end with adopting declarations or participating in international discussions. We must ask whether commitments are reflected in national budgets, whether institutions have the resources to implement them, and whether the communities most affected by climate change are actually benefiting from the policies adopted in their name.
Parliamentary oversight is therefore critical.
Climate resilience must be funded. Adaptation programmes must reach vulnerable communities. Early-warning systems must work. And our national and regional institutions must be capable of responding to the increasingly interconnected challenges of climate change, migration, development, peace and security.
The opening also provided an important opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose birthday is commemorated on 21 September.
The ECOWAS Parliament paid tribute to his vision of a united Africa, a vision which remains deeply relevant to the work of regional integration today.
For me, this was particularly significant.
The challenges facing West Africa today remind us why regional cooperation is not optional. Climate change does not recognise national borders. Neither do terrorism, organised crime, irregular migration or many of the economic pressures confronting our people.
Our countries therefore become stronger when we work together.
Later, the ECOWAS Parliament delegation paid a courtesy call on the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
I had the privilege of making a brief remark on behalf of the delegation.
I emphasised that anything which gives practical meaning to the vision of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and advances the cause of African unity is something we should embrace and support.
I also expressed our gratitude to Her Excellency the Vice President for receiving the delegation and for the thoughtful address she delivered at the opening of our proceedings.
Her call for stronger regional cooperation and greater investment in climate resilience, livelihoods, youth opportunities and early-warning systems reinforces an important message: peace and security cannot be separated from the conditions under which people live.
As the deliberations continue, my hope is that we move beyond identifying the challenges.
We must focus on solutions that can be implemented, financed and measured.
The resolutions and recommendations emerging from this session should contribute meaningfully to strengthening climate resilience, human security, peace and sustainable development across West Africa.
Ghana has long believed in the promise of African integration. We must continue to give practical expression to that belief through institutions such as ECOWAS and the ECOWAS Parliament.
I extend my appreciation to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Parliament of Ghana and Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin for Ghana’s role in hosting our colleagues from across the sub-region.
Our shared task is to build a West Africa that is more resilient, more secure, more integrated and better able to protect the wellbeing and aspirations of its people.
Hon. James Agalga
Majority Leader & Leader of Government Business
Member of Parliament for Builsa North