The Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA) has outlined a series of strategic priorities aimed at scaling nature-based climate solutions across the continent, following its first-ever board retreat in Accra.

The two-day event, held from August 11–12 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, brought together board members of AC4NCA, climate experts, policy analysts, and heads of local and international climate organisations.

The retreat’s agenda focused on training board members, fine-tuning the Centre’s strategic plan, boosting AC4NCA’s institutional visibility, improving resource mobilisation, adopting a clear communications strategy, and strengthening governance frameworks.

Rev. Dr. Joyce R. Aryee – Board Chair, Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action

In her opening remarks, the Board Chair, the highly respected Ghanaian stateswoman, Rev. Dr. Joyce R. Aryee, described the retreat as “an important milestone” in the Centre’s mission to advance practical, community-driven climate solutions. She emphasized the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss and climate impacts, noting that “nature offers us powerful solutions to the climate crisis,” through measures such as forest restoration, mangrove protection, and regenerative agriculture.

“We need to ensure that the voices of marginalised communities are heard, that benefits are fairly distributed, and that our impact endures for generations to come,” Dr Aryee said.

Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor – Global Lead, Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action

Global Lead of AC4NCA, a key advocate on the international stage on climate action, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, hailed the gathering as a “defining moment” for the organisation. “We are here to simply take meaningful, locally-rooted, and globally relevant action,” he told participants. He called on board members to act as ambassadors and thought partners in building an ethical, credible, and innovative institution.

In addition to strategic deliberations, experts across the climate sector shared insights on corporate governance, global climate policy, and the role of civil society in advocacy. Other topics included financing climate action, promoting sustainable procurement, and strengthening communications for Nature-based Solutions (NbS). These exchanges provided practical tools and new perspectives for advancing ethical decision-making, forging strategic partnerships, and scaling NbS across Africa.

At the AC4NCA retreat, International Climate Finance Expert based in Zimbabwe, Veronica Jakarasi, underscored the role of civil society organisations in promoting ethical procurement, stressing the need for accountability, transparency, and sustainability in supply chains. She urged wider adoption of green procurement and encouraged the need to assess vendors through recognised sustainability certifications.

Meanwhile, Renowned Human Rights and Gender Specialist with extensive climate activism in Kenya, Winfred Lichuma, stressed the importance of gender mainstreaming into AC4NCA’s policies and programmes. She urged the Centre to ensure gender balance across all its work and to actively champion narratives that highlight the role and experiences of women in climate action.

For his part, International Policy and Development Management Expert, Dr. Eugene Owusu called for an expanded focus on the blue economy, recognising the importance of “harnessing the ocean, marine biodiversity and coastal resources” for sustainable livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience for coastal communities.

The Centre is rapidly positioning itself as a leading hub for nature-based climate action in Africa, and this retreat has given a further impetus to this effort.