Category: Sustainability

Climate Change Impact in Dagbon: The Shea Factor

By: Mohammed A. Abu Introduction Climate change refers to long-term shift in the Earth’s average temperatures and weather patterns. While the Earth’s climate has changed naturally throughout history, the current, rapid warming is primarily driven by human activities with fossil fuels said to be the worst offender which releases heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Climate change has since impacted sources of livelihood of many in Dagbon and the wider Northern Savannah Zone (NSZ) making climate action mitigation and adaptation strategies non-negotiable. Climate change impact researchers have since unearthed how…

What is the climate impact of the Climate Investment Fund?

By:Karoline Teien Blystad and Bjornar Baugerud Climate and Impact Director                            Head of Climate Investment Fund The Climate Investment Fund,managed by Norfund,has received many headlines linked to large amounts of avoided emissions.But how do you calculate how much emissions the fund’s investments actually avoided? If the world is to succeed in limiting the climate crisis, we are running out of time to phase out fossil energy. The good news is that renewable energy is now competitive. The bad…

Africa Cannot Drink Potential!!

By: Alice Frimpong Sarkodie,Director – Nobel Heights School Every year on African Union Day, we celebrate our culture, our resilience, our beauty, our resources, and our dreams for the future. We speak proudly of the Africa we want. But this year, the theme of the African Union forces us to confront a painful but necessary truth: A continent rich in rivers should not be thirsty. A continent full of brilliance should not lack sanitation. A continent filled with potential should not still struggle for basic human dignity. The African Union’s…

How biodiversity markets shape nature recovery

First Published,11 May 2026 Land, Society and Governance Blog 3 minute read  Mattia Troiano,Research Assistant, Dr Mark Hirons Senior Researcher   Biodiversity markets are increasingly being used in conservation policy, but we still don’t fully understand how their design shapes who gets involved and what actually happens for nature on the ground. A new open-access article in Environmental Policy and Governance by Mattia Troiano, a researcher at the ECI, and colleagues looks at this question through England’s Biodiversity Net Gain system, based on interviews and participatory mapping work in Oxfordshire. Rather…

Coconut Shells and Africa’s Built Environment: A Circular Economy Pespective

Introduction Coconuts constitute one of Ghana’s coastal zones invaluable natural resource endowments and its full economic potential has for decades been begging for being unlocked while the country’s East Asian compatriots have since been up to their game in that respect. For decades coconut has been generally treated and still continues to treated in Ghana by many simply as a natural goodie on break open the shell- enjoy the refreshing water-albumen-throw away the husk and shell away as waste supposedly and without appreciating them as potential vital raw materials for…

Sustainable Building Materials: Why Middle Eastern Developers Are Moving Beyond Concrete

For decades, concrete has been the default choice for construction across the Middle East. It’s durable, it works in extreme heat, and robust supply chains are established. But that era is winding down. Right now, in 2026, developers are shifting away from conventional materials faster than anyone predicted, and the transition is accelerating.  The numbers are striking. The MEA was the only region in the world to record an increase in demand for green and sustainable buildings in 2025, and that momentum has carried into 2026. While global green construction is slowing,…

Leveraging Africa’s Gold/Mineral Reserves for Economic Independence

Aurum Elite Bullion LLC Leads the Charge Story: Mohammed A. Abu Africa holds roughly 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including 40% of its gold and up to 90% of chromium and platinum. The continent  is a global powerhouse for resources, containing 65% of the world’s arable land, 10% of its oil, and significant deposits of cobalt, diamonds, and uranium, making it essential to global supply chains. Against this backdrop,governments of African countries need sober reflection over the thorny issue of  political independence minus  economic independence complicated  by ever rising public…

Sit Up or Face National Disruption: The Urgent Call for a Skilled Electrical Workforce

About Author: Awal Sakib Mohammed, President, Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA),Chairman for the Skills Body for “Electrical, Electronics and Automation” under the CTVET (Contact details: +233243864726 Email: awalcahsant@gmail.com) Introduction The Urgent Call for a Skilled Electrical Workforce Electricity is the heartbeat of modern life. Every home, hospital, school, and industry depends on it. Yet behind the switches and sockets lies a truth we can no longer ignore: our electrical networks are dilapidated, our systems outdated, and our workforce dangerously underprepared. Road Contractors’ Vital Role: Their Dilemma  Electrical contractors are the…

Feature: Now, Let’s Build a Sky Train for Accra-(By Dr Joseph K. Ofori-Kuragu)

Ghana’s infrastructure drive has gathered real momentum in recent years. Large national projects continue to shape public discussion, especially after the presentation of the 2026 Budget by the Minister of Finance. One of the most debated proposals is the Accra–Kumasi Expressway. The reactions have been mixed, but what is clear is that Ghanaians are thinking seriously about how the country should grow and how mobility can support that growth. The level of engagement shows that the public is ready for solutions that make life easier and expand economic opportunities. At…

ICD-Coris Bank Partner to Support Benin SMEs with EUR 25 M Sharia Compliant Line of Financing

This strategic financing facility will enable CBI Benin to provide much-needed capital to SMEs and corporate clients across Benin, supporting the country’s economic diversification efforts and private sector development, says, an official statement issued in Jeddah, Thursday. EUR 25 million Shariah-compliant Line of Financing facility to support private sector growth in Benin Four-year facility to facilitate access to finance for the private sector enterprises, mainly SMEs and Large corporates. Expected to create 600 new jobs and support sustainable economic development Expanding ICD’s successful partnership with Coris Holding across West Africa…