West African Cities Unite For Urban Resilience In Face Of Climate Challenges
Thirteen cities across West Africa are charting a fresh course towards a more resilient urban future, thanks to a landmark capacity-building workshop held in Accra from 2–4 July 2025.
Thè workshop,organised jointly by the African Union Commission (AUC), ECOWAS Commission, and GIZ, is part of the Risk-Informed Urban Development Series under the German-supported Resilience Initiative Africa.
The gathering drew mayors, municipal experts, climate officials, and development partners to explore how cities can better assess risk, embrace inclusive planning, and respond to the growing threats posed by climate change.
Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, described the training as “timely and essential,” noting that it aligns with the bloc’s efforts to boost disaster risk reduction and adapt the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP) across the region.
AUC Urban Resilience Adviser, Dr Emmanuel Osuteye, stressed that embedding data-driven risk assessments into urban planning is no longer optional but vital. “It’s about making cities proactive, not reactive,” he said.
The Ghanaian government, through its Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, expressed strong support. Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Mr Cedric Dzelu reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to mainstreaming climate action nationwide and cascading the workshop’s lessons to local assemblies.
Project Manager for Resilience Initiative Africa, Mrs Ria Hidajat, celebrated the partnership as a “unique opportunity for peer learning and resource mobilisation,” urging participants to seize it for the benefit of their cities.
As climate impacts intensify, the workshop signals a growing regional consensus: resilience begins at the local level, and cities must be equipped with the tools to build back smarter, greener, and stronger.
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