As part of the pre-COP26 event, Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Center (GCIC) hosted royal dialogues under the patronage of His Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of Akyem Abuakwa, Ghana. The Royal Dialogue on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was held at Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi (King’s royal palace) on 26th and 27th October 2021. The event was in support of H.E the President of Ghana’s global role as Co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates for the SDGs, the SDGs Advisory Unit and the Okyeman Environment Foundation (OEF). Specifically on Climate Change and the SDGs, the following partners participated in the event: Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana (EPA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Finance, United Nations University-Institute of Natural Resources in Africa (UNUINRA), Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies.

These represent local, regional and national bodies who advised on best practices and were informed by the community of climate change practices in that locality. The overarching objective of the Royal Dialogue was to provide a forum for reflection and dialogue on Climate Change and the SDGs and define collective actions at the sub-national level to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and Ghana’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. The following objectives guided the dialogue:

1. Mobilise support and action from traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society organisations and administrators at the sub-national level to tackle climate change and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.
2. Leverage their knowledge and expertise in finding smart interventions to tackle climate change and accelerate progress towards the SDGS.
3. Foster strategic partnerships with the aforementioned stakeholders to identify ways of scaling up investments necessary to enhance climate resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Mobilise the chiefs, business leaders and the invited guests to become strong advocates for the SDGs and climate action.

Dr. Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor on the SDGs, Office of the President, provided short remarks on the government's position with special remarks by the minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. The dialogue concluded with the finalisation of the declaration for the chief and people in the region, a potential resource for policy.