COP31: Ghana’s Climate voices must not be left behind in the accreditation queue
Ghanaian climate activists and researchers are facing difficulties securing accreditation for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference. The event is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026. These challenges follow previous controversies regarding the size of Ghana's delegations at past conferences. There is a fear that access is being limited to avoid political criticism. Stakeholders from civil society and academia are concerned about the lack of representation. They believe these restrictions hinder their ability to participate in global climate discussions.
The controversy over Ghana's delegation sizes at previous climate conferences seems to have created a new challenge: limiting access to the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) for fear of political criticism. As the world prepares for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, concerns are mounting among Ghanaian climate activists, civil society organisations, academics, researchers and other stakeholders over difficulties securing accreditation to participate. For many, the frustration goes beyond missing another international conference. It raises fundamental questions about representation, access and whose voices matter in shaping global climate policy. There are growing concerns that the issuance of COP badges to Ghanaian stakeholders is becoming increasingly restrictive, potentially excluding organisations and individuals whose work is central to advancing climate action. To understand the situation, it is important to revisit the politics surrounding Ghana's participation in previous climate conferences, particularly COP26 in Glasgow and COP28 in Dubai.