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PRESS RELEASE: Sekondi-Takoradi paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for African cities

Published: 30 Oct 2024
Access to Energy Adaptation Mitigation Success Stories
PRESS RELEASE: Sekondi-Takoradi paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for African cities

Sekondi-Takoradi has become the first city in Ghana to launch a comprehensive Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP), building on Accra’s pioneering efforts in partnership with C40 Cities. This new plan marks another significant step in the country’s climate action journey. Developed in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), the SEACAP aims to reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and provide clean, affordable energy by 2050, positioning Sekondi-Takoradi as a model for sustainable urban development in West Africa.

Today marks a historic milestone for Sekondi-Takoradi, as the city officially launches its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP), becoming the first in Ghana to introduce such a comprehensive strategy to combat climate change and increase access to sustainable energy. Developed in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), which is co-financed in a Team Europe Approach, by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this SEACAP presents a detailed blueprint aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring access to clean energy for all its residents.
 
Developed through a participatory approach involving local communities, grassroots organisations, academia, and government agencies, the SEACAP is designed to address the specific needs of Sekondi-Takoradi’s residents while aligning with international climate frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
The plan focuses on three main pillars: Mitigation, Adaptation, and Energy Access. By 2050, Sekondi-Takoradi aims to become a net-zero carbon city by reducing emissions from transportation, energy, and waste, transitioning to electric vehicles, improving public transport, and achieving zero waste in landfills through enhanced a circular economy. Climate adaptation goals include reducing urban flooding by 30% and restoring 50% of degraded wetlands and mangroves by 2030, protecting against coastal erosion. On energy, the city aims for 100% electricity access by 2050, with 50% of energy coming from solar power, while also promoting clean cooking technologies to curb deforestation and indoor pollution.
 
Tree planting
Before the launch event, STMA staff, invited dignitaries and students from Ahantaman Senior Girls High School planted 25 trees as a first step towards their goal of planting 1 million trees by 2050, engaging the youth in environmental action.
 
“Today is a defining moment for Sekondi-Takoradi,” said Metro Chief Executive, Honourable Abdul-Mumin Issah. “With the official launch of our SEACAP, we are taking bold steps to safeguard our future from the impacts of climate change while creating new opportunities for sustainable growth. Our plan sets ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and ensure that all our residents have access to clean, affordable energy.”
At the launch event, which brought together community members and stakeholders from across Ghana and the international community, Dirk Aßmann, GIZ Country Director for Ghana, representing Team Europe, commended the city’s vision: The leadership shown by Sekondi-Takoradi in developing this ambitious climate action plan is inspiring. It demonstrates the potential of cities to drive meaningful change and pave the way for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.”
 
With the SEACAP officially launched, Sekondi-Takoradi is set to begin rolling out the plan in phases, with specific actions planned for 2025, 2030, 2040, and 2050. Immediate priorities include executing public awareness campaigns to involve the community, expanding the city's public transportation system, and increasing investment in renewable energy projects.
 
International partnerships will be essential for successfully implementing the SEACAP. Sekondi-Takoradi seeks funding and technical support from global partners while collaborating with local businesses, civil society organisations, and international donors to build the necessary capacity for achieving its ambitious goals. With its comprehensive and forward-thinking approach, the city is laying the groundwork for a greener and more prosperous future, serving as a model for other urban areas in Ghana and across West Africa.
 

 

 
Note to editors.  
CoM SSA is the regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), the largest global initiative of cities addressing climate and energy challenges. This bottom-up initiative encourages cities to voluntarily set and achieve ambitious yet realistic climate and energy targets. As of 2024, the network includes over 380 cities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
 
Since January 2019, the initiative is co-funded by the European Union, the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) with a total funding amount of €35.7 M, providing in-depth support to cities in 14 countries, including Kenya. It is jointly implemented by four European Member State Organizations namely GIZ, AECID, AFD and Expertise France.   
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the German Federal Ministry and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the other co-funders.  
 
Contact us for more information:
 
BALDEON Frida
CoM SSA Communication Officer, GIZ
Contact email: frida.baldeon @giz.de
 
HALIGAH Innocent 
Metropolitan Coordinating Director 
Contact email: innocent.haligah@stma.gov.gh 
 
HUSEIN Abdul-Kudus    
European Union Press and Information Officer           
Contact email: abdul-Kudus.HUSEIN@eeas.europa.eu  
 
Alhaji Mahama A. Abu 
Metro. Dev’t Planning Officer (CoM SSA Focal Point)
Email : abu.mahamah@stma.gov.gh  

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