GIMPA Law School holds 2025 Law Conference on Climate Justice

The GIMPA Law School has taken a decisive stand in the global campaign for climate justice, announcing sweeping academic and institutional reforms during its 2025 Law Conference on Climate Justice, held at the Dr. Daniel McKorley Moot Courtroom in Accra.

Themed “Climate Justice in Ghana: The Role of Law and Policy Towards Sustainable Development,” the two-day conference brought together policymakers, legal experts, academics, and civil society leaders to critically examine Ghana’s legal and policy frameworks for addressing climate change and to chart a path forward.

In a passionate keynote address, the Dean of GIMPA Law School, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, called for urgent legal and policy interventions to tackle Ghana’s escalating climate crisis. Citing projections that the country could lose up to 10% of its GDP by 2050 if current trends persist, Agyeman-Budu warned that the time for action is now. “We are gathered at a time when the very air we breathe and the land that sustains us are under unprecedented threat,” he said. “Climate change is no longer a future hypothetical - it is our present reality.”

As part of its strategic response, GIMPA Law School unveiled a landmark initiative to mainstream climate law and policy into its academic curriculum at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition, plans are underway to establish a dedicated Research Centre on Climate Law and Policy, which will spearhead evidence-based legal research and provide specialized training for judges, lawmakers, and advocates.

The conference received a significant boost with the participation of H.E. Samira Bawumia, Former Second Lady of Ghana and Global Champion for the Clean Cooking Alliance, who delivered a keynote address. She praised the Law School’s bold direction, underscoring the urgency of inclusive climate action.

“Climate justice must not leave anyone behind, especially women and children who suffer disproportionately from climate impacts,” she noted. “We need inclusive climate policies, and that starts with legal education and advocacy.”

Mrs. Bawumia also highlighted the importance of gender-responsive frameworks, access to clean energy, and the empowerment of community-driven climate initiatives.

While acknowledging progress made through the ratification of international agreements such as the Paris Accord and the implementation of Ghana’s National Climate Change Policy, Dean Agyeman-Budu emphasized the limitations of current mechanisms in protecting vulnerable populations. “Public participation remains limited, and the legal tools we have are not yet robust enough to protect those most affected,” he said.

The conference is expected to yield a series of actionable recommendations aimed at informing legal reforms and strengthening institutional responses to Ghana’s climate challenges.

Also present at the conference were the Deputy Rector of GIMPA, Prof. Ebenezer Adaku, and the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Hon. Baba Issifu Seidu, among other distinguished guests.

With its forward-thinking agenda and renewed focus on legal education, GIMPA Law School is positioning itself as a regional leader in climate justice advocacy—advancing a future where law, equity, and sustainability intersect.