Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century. Climate risks are increasing, and Ghana is no exception. From deadly heatwaves, erratic rainfall, flooding to rising cases of climate-sensitive diseases, the climate crisis will exert additional pressures on the country’s health and social care systems. Climate change is directly contributing to humanitarian emergencies from heatwaves, wildfires, floods, drought, tropical storms and hurricanes and they are increasing in scale, frequency, and intensity.

Research shows that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress alone.

In response to these compounding risks, World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UKFCDO) and partners supported the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service to undertake a health vulnerability and adaptation to climate change assessment. The assessment sought to identify vulnerability to health risks, health system capacities and adaptative capacities to response to climate related disease risk. 

The Ministry of Health with WHO convened the first, in a series of stakeholder validation workshops, on a draft of Ghana’s harmonized Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment. The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society, and development partners to review findings and provide inputs towards finalizing the assessment, which is expected to guide the development of Ghana’s Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP).

Dr. Frank Lule, WHO Officer in Charge in Ghana, emphasized the importance of the harmonized assessment for building a climate-resilient health system. “This assessment is a vital tool that helps us understand how climate change is affecting the health of Ghanaians—from increased disease burden to impact on service delivery—and how we can adapt. WHO remains committed to working with Ghana and partners to ensure the health sector is not only protected but also proactive in the face of climate change”, he stated.

The Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment consolidates multiple sectoral assessments and projections of the impact of climate change on health into a unified national framework. It highlights regional health vulnerabilities, identifies climate-sensitive diseases, and recommends adaptive strategies. It also aims to provide a baseline to integrate health into Ghana’s broader climate adaptation efforts under the Paris Agreement.

Enyonam Azumah, Team Leader, Human Development from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO), reiterated the importance of collaborative planning. “UK FCDO Ghana is delighted to have partnered with the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, World Bank, WHO, and all of you to support this harmonised assessment. Building adaptation into the health system and across sectors means starting now, and this analysis will give us the evidence base to effectively target our efforts and ensure health is reflected across Ghana’s efforts to combat climate change”, she said.

As the health impact of climate change becomes more pronounced, the Climate Change and  Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment offers a critical evidence base for Ghana to prioritize interventions, improve coordination across sectors, and protect vulnerable populations.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Mr Ernest Owusu Sekyere, the Head of Planning and Budget, MoH added, “this policy frameworks will highlight the health sector’s action plan for climate change adaptation for the medium term and serve as a springboard for accessing global climate funding mechanism for health resilience initiatives”.

The validation process included expert reviews, stakeholder consultations, and region disaggregated data analysis. Participants examined risks, reviewed, and proposed context-specific solutions, and discussed how to mainstream climate resilience into existing health and development strategies.

This effort signals a major step forward in Ghana’s climate and health agenda—one that ensures policy decisions are informed by science, shaped by inclusive dialogue, and guided by a commitment to equity and sustainability.

For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Office
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393