Accra, 5-6 October 2026. Stakeholders from across Ghana’s water, food, energy and environment sectors met in Accra on 5 and 6 October for two national validation workshops. Both were part of the African Union’s Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP). The aim was to move Ghana closer to bankable, nationally owned water investments.
The workshops were held under the AU AIP Multi-Country Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Support. The programme is implemented by GWP Southern Africa and the GWP Africa Coordination Unit. They were hosted by the Water Resources Commission (WRC), with the Ministry of Finance as National Designated Authority (NDA) and the Ghana Country Water Partnership as a participant. Ghana is one of 15 first-phase countries in the readiness initiative, which aims to strengthen national capacity to plan climate-resilient water investments and develop projects that support effective climate action.
Validating the Ghana Water Investment Programme
The first workshop reviewed the Ghana Water Investment Programme (WIP), which consists of three documents:
- an Investment Plan
- a Financing Strategy
- an Implementation Roadmap
Participants from government ministries and agencies, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and research and academia worked through each document.
The sessions covered:
- a situational analysis of water resources use and development, and of water financing
- the programme’s investment objectives and prioritised projects
- the strategic objectives and actions of the Financing Strategy
- the roadmap for implementation, including financing architecture, pathways and governance
Discussions took place in plenary, in focus groups, and at an interactive carousel of themed stations.
Main results:
- Stakeholders endorsed with amendments the Investment Plan, Financing Strategy and Implementation Roadmap as the Ghana WIP.
- Priority projects and strategic financing objectives agreed.
- Key issues raised on financing and governance: instruments, institutional roles, private-sector participation.
- Next steps: consultants to finalise the documents and transmit them to WRC to follow up to the Ministry of Finance/ NDA.
Validating two water-related concept notes
The second workshop focused on two concept notes designed to attract project financing. They respond to Ghana’s priorities under the National Climate Change Policy, the Nationally Determined Contributions and the National Adaptation Plan.
- Concept Note I addresses the climate problem through citizen science and Indigenous knowledge.
- Concept Note II addresses the integrated needs of water and renewable energy.
For each note, participants reviewed the rationale and objectives. They then tested the Theory of Change, targets, financing and institutional arrangements, and identified evidence gaps before moving to validation.
Main results:
- Both concept notes validated subject to revisions as relevant and aligned with national priorities.
- Consensus reached on scope, interventions and expected outcomes.
- Gaps identified for further analysis:
- Proposed pathway to the GCF and partners
Looking ahead
With the WIP and the concept notes validated, the focus now shifts to finalising the documents, securing government endorsement, and engaging financing partners. GWP-WA thanks the Water Resources Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the participating institutions and GWP Southern Africa for their contributions.
