Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kokofu revealed that although he was approached to contest for the NPP’s flagbearer position, he declined the offer, citing the party’s current fragile state.

“I was approached to contest as flagbearer, but I declined because I feel the party is not standing well. Where the party is right now, it’s important we change certain things internally,” he said.

Mr. Kokofu emphasized that his focus is on helping to rebuild the party using his experience, and pledged to support whichever candidate is elected, provided the person fosters unity.

“I am for the rebuilding of the party. All I care about is restoring the NPP to a strong standing. We need leadership from the flagbearer who can unify us,” he added.

He also cautioned against open endorsements, which he believes could harm party cohesion.

“Everyone has a preference, and that’s normal, but open endorsements should be discouraged. It’s not wrong legally, but for the sake of party unity and best practices, we must avoid divisive tendencies,” he said.

His comments come amid increased internal competition and growing public endorsements of aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026.

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Dr. Kokofu praised President Akufo-Addo’s government for its commitment to climate action and sustainable development, citing the establishment of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) as a key milestone.

“The mainstreaming of climate financing instruments into our economy is a testament to the government’s dedication to addressing the climate crisis,” he said.

“Ghana has made significant strides in transitioning to a climate-resilient economy, and we are proud to be part of this global effort.”

Speaking in an interview with GBC, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, said during President Akufo Addo’s tenure as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, which began in Glasgow, the country made swift progress under the leadership of our former Finance Minister, who chaired the V20 group of Finance Ministers.

V20 group, is a group of Finance Ministers of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, to identify common attributes among member countries and explore ways to integrate climate financing instruments into their economies.

The V20 platform provided a unique opportunity for countries to learn from each other and develop tailored approaches to address their specific climate challenges”, he said.

Dr Kokofu, an expert in environmental policy and climate change, emphasized that the V20 played a crucial role in bringing together Finance Ministers from various countries to share knowledge and best practices in climate financing.

“Our former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, did an excellent job of harnessing the collective expertise of V20 to develop innovative solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development.

As a result of these efforts, Ghana has successfully developed the Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP), a groundbreaking initiative that has also been adopted by countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka”, he said.

“The Climate Prosperity Plan represents a turning point in our post-COVID economic recovery, as it recognises the crucial role of the climate economy in driving growth and development,” Dr. Kokofu explained.

Adding, that the plan outlines a comprehensive framework for transitioning to a climate-resilient economy, with a focus on bankable investments in key sectors such as energy, education, health, agriculture, forestry, and environment.

Dr. Kokofu highlighted the significance of the CPP, noting that it has the potential to attract private capital and mobilize resources for climate action.

“The CPP is a game-changer for Ghana and other countries, as it provides a clear roadmap for achieving climate prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.

He stressed that the foundation laid by President Akufo-Addo’s government has positioned Ghana for success, and thus, looking forward to benefiting from these initiatives in the years to come.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kokofu emphasised the vast potential of the climate economy, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Climate economy for finance, jobs, and sustainability – positioning Ghana as the base for capacity building on climate economy for AfCFTA, with a market potential of about $3.3 trillion and a population of 1.32 billion.

The future is indeed exciting,” he said, highlighting the opportunities for Ghana and other African countries to leverage the climate economy for sustainable growth and development.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced a nationwide market surveillance to check the sale of DDT-infected foods, especially watermelon.

It follows a research by scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), which found unacceptable levels of pesticide residues in watermelon on the market in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

Although the organochlorine pesticides are banned for agricultural use, some have been found to be using them, something which has adverse health effects on consumers.

Children have been found to be at higher risk of suffering adverse health effects, including cancer, if they consume the fruits regularly.

Reacting to this, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EPA said investigations are being conducted into the matter.

Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu said his outfit would be collaborating with the Police and other stakeholders to undertake the exercise.

“Few months ago, EPA was on the ground [and] they seized some of these products in Techiman. Currently, the Ashanti Region EPA is undertaking market survey of some of these [products].

“It is not Mampong alone. The mapping of agrochemical use started mostly within the Ashanti Regional enclave, leading Bono and Bono East regions. The next place of prominence has do with the Northern Region,” he said.

He assured that all such areas would be keenly supervised to clamp down on the use of, and illegal importation and distribution of the substances.