The African Union Commission (AUC) and the ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), convened the second edition of the Risk-Informed Urban Development Workshop Series from July 2 to 4, 2025, in Accra. The event forms part of the Resilience Initiative Africa, a flagship project led by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) aimed at strengthening urban resilience capacities across West Africa.
The workshop brought together mayors, municipal leaders, and technical experts from 13 West African cities, alongside representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, and Ghana’s Ministry for Climate Change and Sustainability. Participants shared practical experiences and strategies in risk assessments and inclusive, participatory urban development processes to better address the growing threats posed by climate change in the region.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, emphasized the importance of timely interventions in urban resilience building. “This workshop provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance local capacities, align policies, and secure financing for practical climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects in our cities,” she remarked. Dr. Tarfa-Ugbe highlighted ECOWAS’ ongoing efforts through the Regional Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction (GECEAO) and the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP) in promoting urban resilience initiatives across the region.
On behalf of the African Union Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Osuteye, Urban Resilience Adviser, reiterated the critical need for data-driven, risk-informed urban planning. He noted that integrating risk, vulnerability, and impact assessments into urban management would position West African cities to proactively manage climate-related hazards and build safer, more sustainable communities.
Representing Ghana’s Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, Mr. Cedric Dzelu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to embedding climate action at every governance level. He praised the initiative for contributing to Ghana’s national climate agenda and pledged the ministry’s active involvement in future workshops.
Mrs. Ria Hidajat, Project Manager for the Resilience Initiative Africa, lauded the partnership between West African governments and Germany via GIZ, stressing that the workshop served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, climate risk mapping, and strategies for mobilizing resources for urban resilience projects.
As climate-related challenges intensify across the continent, this workshop series is expected to play a pivotal role in equipping West African cities with the tools, expertise, and partnerships needed to navigate the complex landscape of urban development under climate stress.
[12/07, 11:05 am] rosewendy: West African Cities Unite in Accra to Tackle Urban Climate Risks at High-level Workshop
