Barriers to financing climate change actions in infrastructure projects in Ghana

Climate change alters how often damaging events such as floods and fires occur, and how severe they are. This is likely to increase damage and disruption to ongoing and completed public infrastructure projects in Ghana such as Keta Port Project, District and regional hospital projects, West Africa Petroleum Hub, Takoradi Gas Tank Farms, and expansion of second cycle educational institutions under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Damages to these infrastructure projects in Ghana as result of climate change affect people, communities, and the economy, through direct damages and flow-on (indirect) impacts such as disruptions to businesses, productivity, and the way of life. Existing infrastructures in the country have commonly been designed to suit historic climate patterns and may not withstand future climate conditions. A major strategy to address these concerns from potential climate crisis is getting enough financial support to build and support climate-resilient infrastructure projects. However, little has been explored on the barriers to financing this cause in the country. Therefore, the aim of this article is to assess the key financing barriers to climate-conscious infrastructures in Ghana with solutions. The study utilised questionnaire data from project management professionals and experts. Whilst the findings reveal twenty-one critical challenges to financing climate change, the participants provided solutions such as creating a climate fund to support infrastructure development. The findings of this study are critical to raise awareness of climate funding for infrastructure projects and it provides a guide to poster future studies.