EcoClub 360 kick-starts climate change initiative for strengthening climate reporting in Ghana

EcoClub 360, in partnership with Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Embassy of Denmark in Ghana, has engaged key stakeholders across sectors in the ShaiOsudoku District of Greater Accra Region in a dialogue, ensuring inclusive, collective and bottom-up climate action approach to the
initiative, “Amplifying Climate Solutions for Sustainable Development and Democratic Governance”.

The project aims to highlight actions by key actors addressing climate change
challenges for informed decision-making as Ghana goes to the polls in December for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Speaking on the Theme: “Amplifying Climate Solutions for Sustainable Development and Democratic Governance: The Role of Stakeholders in Advancing Green Future”, the Founder and Executive Director of EcoClub 360, Ms. Patience Ahiabor, in her introductory remarks stated that “climate change is contributing to food insecurity, health challenges, and disruption in education and social cohesion which can heighten tension in the country as Ghana goes to the polls in December 2024”. She emphasized the need for collaboration to fight climate change, adding that the inter-sectoral key stakeholders dialogue aims to highlight climate interventions necessary in the Shai-Osudoku District for fostering resilient and sustainable future.

This was followed by a presentation by Mr. George Opare Asare, a member of EcoClub 360 Steering Committee, who enlightened the understanding of participants on climate change, sustainable development and democratic governance. He noted that climate change can interrupt social cohesion, leading to social unrest, conflict, community disruption and death. He highlighted commende some key challenges faced by the government in addressing climate change, including lack of coordinated policies, limited stakeholders’ engagement and inadequate funding. He commended EcoClub 360 for contributing to addressing the key challenge of limited stakeholders’ engagement.

Emphasizing the urgent need for climate action to combat climate change, Mr. Asare called for the implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation measures, including renewable energy and efficient use of energy, waste reduction and management, water management systems, climate migration and displacement planning, research, climate smart agriculture and early warning systems to inform citizens about impending unfavorable weather conditions that could displace communities and affect agriculture, the backbone of Ghana’s economy. Mr. Asare also underscored the need for climate governance and international cooperation to strengthen policies such as the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He urged everyone to become climate advocates by using social media and other digital platforms to share climate information necessary for informed-decision making.

Participants engaged in a stimulating discussion that unveiled different perspectives on climate change in the Shai-Osudoku District. It was revealed that there are no local-level climate policies and regulations for engaging citizens at the grassroot. Mr. Derick Sarfo-Yiadom from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, enlightened participants on the ongoing National Adaptation Plan process that ensures district-level and sector-based contributions to the Plan, urging participants to make inputs into the process.

The District Director of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Nana Asante Boateng, expressed concerns about the increasing rate of deforestation contributing to biodiversity loss and the destruction of the revered Dodowa Forest. He urged relevant regulatory authorities to review the process of granting permits to ensure tree planting and greenery by households. He also attributed poor maintenance culture to the low success rate of tree-planting initiatives in the District. Mr. Kofi Osei Addy from Asaseyaa Foundation shared his experience of educating individuals and communities to not only plant trees but also to own and nurture them to grow. He emphasized the need for behavioural change towards the environment, calling on everyone to play their part towards a collective goal of sustainable development. Mr. Addy also highlighted the significant role of the District Director of Education, Mrs. Harriet Lomotey, in engaging students in climate change awareness drives across the District. He acknowledged the support provided by the District Agric Unit in planting food trees, while the Forestry Commission also contributed to EcoClub 360’s awareness and tree-planting initiatives among students in the District.

The District Director of Health, Rev. Ebenezer Asiamah warned about the dangers of invading forest animals’ habitats, which can cause outbreak of diseases such as mpox. He called for a collective action against deforestation, adding that the loss of farm lands to industry and residential activities is contributing to food scarcity and the loss of livelihoods in the District. Rev. Asiamah also highlighted other health challenges caused by erosion, poor sanitation and contaminated water bodies. He attributed the use of agrochemicals to respiratory infections among rice farmers in the District, and highlighted the significant role of UNICEF in effectively educating farmers and communities in the District.

Sharing his experience from the Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), Mr. SarfohDanquah emphasized the need to tailor climate education to different demographic groups in the Shai Osudoku District including children and the elderly to ensure inclusive awareness. He also reiterated the importance of accurate information in climate advocacy.

The stakeholders expressed appreciation to the organizers for providing a platform to coordinate a dialogue among key stakeholders in the district, stating their commitment to empowering vulnerable population, including young people, with the necessary adaptation, mitigation and resilience measures.

The following institutions participated in the Inter-Sectoral Key Stakeholders Dialogue: Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Shai-Osudoku District Assembly, Ghana Eduction Service – Shai-Osudoku District Directorate, Asutsuare Senior High Technical School (OSUTECH), Ghana Health Service – Shai-Osudoku District Directorate, Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), Kasa Initiative Ghana, Renewable Energy for Communities Coalition, Blue Ice Water Company, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd., the Media among others.

(Source: Emmanuel Donkor)