Climate Talks 2026: People most affected by climate must have central role in shaping solutions - German Ambassador

German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, has emphasised that communities directly affected by climate change must play a central role in shaping solutions, with Ghanaian institutions and communities taking the lead.

He said effective responses to climate-related security challenges required the contributions of fishermen, scientists, traditional leaders, government agencies and security institutions.

Speaking at the Keta edition of the Climate Talks 2026, organised in partnership with TV3 on Wednesday, October 14, Mr Landshöft, he said: "The people most affected must have a central role in shaping the solutions. Ghanaian institutions and communities must lead the way."

"I want to encourage you: Ask questions. Share your experiences. Challenge ideas. And take part in the discussion.

"Because your voices, your knowledge and your perspectives are exactly what we need to make these Climate Talks meaningful," he added.

Germany and other development partners, he said, could contribute expertise, resources and technical cooperation to support locally driven initiatives.

He called for early prevention measures and locally appropriate adaptation strategies, alongside efforts to connect coastal protection with public health, social protection and sustainable livelihoods.

He warned that climate change and coastal erosion pose significant threats to livelihoods, food security and social stability in vulnerable communities, particularly in coastal areas such as Keta.

He said the effects of coastal erosion extend beyond the loss of land and infrastructure, affecting public health, cultural heritage, community ties and the ability of families to secure their livelihoods.

The Ambassador noted that protecting livelihoods and human dignity was an essential part of safeguarding peace and stability.

"Climate change can undermine livelihoods and narrow the choices available to young people. Strengthening resilience therefore also means protecting existing opportunities and helping to create new ones.

"And this brings us to the very purpose of our Climate Talks," he noted.

He illustrated the impact of coastal erosion in Keta with the story of Joana Adiku, a Keta resident who, over several decades, watched the sea advance towards her home due to coastal erosion.

According to the Ambassador, when a journalist interviewed Joana in 2023, she was 60 years old and the sea had reached within three feet of her home.

"There was a wide stretch of land between her home and the sea. But over the decades, she watched that distance become smaller and smaller.

"When a journalist spoke to her in 2023, Joana was 60 years old. And the sea had come to within just three feet of her home. Less than one metre," he narrated.

He said her experience highlighted the fear and uncertainty faced by residents as coastal erosion continues to threaten homes and livelihoods.

“For Joana, the distance between her home and the sea had become a measure of her security,” he said.

Mr Landshöft noted that coastal erosion in Keta is not new and has been affecting residents for over a century.

He explained that natural processes, human interventions and climate change had all contributed to changes along the coastline.

He warned that when families are forced to relocate, they risk losing not only their homes but also their communities, cultural heritage and sense of belonging.

"Coastal erosion threatens homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. It puts food security and public health under pressure.

And when families are forced to move, they may lose their communities, their cultural heritage and their sense of belonging."

Women, children and vulnerable households, he added, are often particularly affected, while mounting pressure on livelihoods can deepen existing tensions and weaken social cohesion.

The Ambassador said the Keta discussion formed part of a wider series of Climate Talks held across Ghana to examine the links between climate change, livelihoods and security.

He said previous engagements in Tamale had focused on changing rainfall patterns and competition over land and water, while discussions in Bolgatanga examined drought and climate-induced migration.

In Kumasi, the talks explored the connections between climate change, the environment and illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Although the regions faced different challenges, Mr Landshöft said the discussions shared a common concern: protecting the future opportunities of the people affected.

Mr Landshöft stressed that Germany’s approach to climate cooperation was not to dictate solutions to Ghana but to support dialogue, knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

“Germany has not come here to tell Ghana how to deal with climate change. We are here to listen and to learn,” he said.