Ghana MP Champions Green Growth That Includes Everyone

Frank Annoh-Dompreh stood before global leaders in Abu Dhabi with a simple but powerful message: going green can't mean leaving people behind.

The Ghanaian Member of Parliament traveled to the United Arab Emirates for high-level talks on sustainable development. He's representing his country in crucial conversations about how emerging economies can protect the environment while lifting people out of poverty.

Annoh-Dompreh told the gathering that inclusive policies must deliberately create opportunities for vulnerable communities and small businesses. Real development goes beyond impressive economic numbers on paper, he argued, and should tackle the everyday issues that affect jobs, livelihoods, and whether families can put food on the table.

Ghana's Parliament has been walking the talk. Lawmakers passed amendments to support renewable energy and introduced an electric vehicle policy to cut carbon emissions. These efforts have continued across different administrations, showing rare policy consistency in African governance.

The MP pointed out that governments alone can't afford the massive shift to clean energy. He cited Kenya's success with feed-in tariffs, which offer guaranteed prices to renewable energy producers and attract private investment. Ghana needs similar incentives, he said, while ensuring rural communities aren't left in the dark.

Annoh-Dompreh challenged Ghana's executive branch to lead by example by powering government buildings with renewable energy. Visible commitment from the state would encourage businesses to follow suit, he explained.

He also highlighted a compelling global reality: Africa holds 60 percent of the world's critical minerals like bauxite and cobalt. These materials are essential for solar panels and batteries. The Global North has the technology and expertise, while the Global South has the resources. Smart cooperation could benefit everyone.

The Ripple Effect

This approach to green industrialization could reshape how the world tackles climate change. When resource-rich countries gain real developmental value from the energy transition, they become eager partners rather than reluctant participants. Knowledge sharing and technology transfer create mutual benefits that advance global climate goals faster.

The model Annoh-Dompreh describes, where private investment flows into renewable projects that create local jobs and bring electricity to underserved areas, has already worked in parts of East Africa. Scaling it across the continent could accelerate Africa's development while helping the planet.

His vision offers a blueprint for avoiding the mistakes of past industrial revolutions, which often enriched some nations while exploiting others. This time, cooperation and inclusiveness could make the green transition a true win for humanity.

"If we focus on people, inclusiveness, and cooperation, the green transition can become a win-win for all," Annoh-Dompreh told attendees, capturing the spirit of progress that doesn't sacrifice anyone along the way.