Research indicates that Northwest Ghana is experiencing severe climate change, leading to increased migration to the south. Conducted by students under the REACH-STR project, findings were shared at a graduation ceremony and highlight the need for inclusive climate policies. The project aims to enhance understanding of climate impacts on migration and gender issues in vulnerable communities.
Research by participants of the Resilience Against Climate Change-Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) project highlights that Northwest Ghana is facing significant climate changes that are more severe than in other regions of the country. This situation is leading to increased migration to southern areas as residents seek to escape the adverse effects of climate change. The research, presented during a graduation ceremony, illustrates the prevailing view among local populations that migration is a key strategy for survival against climate impacts.
The studies were conducted by 14 Master’s students and four PhD students in selected communities of the Upper West and Savannah Regions. These projects aimed to address knowledge gaps in policy and practice regarding climate change, migration, and gender challenges affecting the local population. The research findings were shared during their graduation ceremony sponsored by the European Union and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Dr. Birhanu Zemadim Birhanu, IWMI’s Deputy Country Representative, emphasized the lack of resources to document the ongoing social transformations in Northwest Ghana. He highlighted that the findings provide essential evidence for planning inclusive climate interventions. Dr. Zemadim mentioned the importance of leveraging these insights to shape policies addressing gender, migration, and climate resilience in the region.
He noted, “We will explore how these findings can influence policies and development strategies, particularly in gender, migration, and climate resilience. This is just the beginning of a sustained effort to build a climate-resilient future.”
The graduation ceremony symbolized the conclusion of an enriching academic journey and demonstrated the REACH-STR project’s mission to enhance institutional capabilities focused on climate-related challenges. Massimo Mina, the Head of EU Cooperation, stressed the necessity for the government to integrate the research findings into future climate policies, advocating for a broader understanding of the community vulnerabilities related to climate change.
Ahead of graduation, the scholars engaged with the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Irchad Razaaly, who praised their efforts toward climate resilience. Beneficiaries shared their transformative experiences from the project, emphasizing the knowledge they’ve gained to combat climate change in their regions.
The REACH-STR project, launched in February 2019 by the European Union with €2.3 million in funding, is a six-year initiative aimed at fostering social transformation for sustainable rural development, climate adaptation, and migration in the Upper West and Savannah Regions.
Overall, the findings highlight the pressing effects of climate change in Northwest Ghana, the critical need for responsive policies, and the value of academic research in addressing these issues.
The REACH-STR project has revealed crucial insights into how climate change disproportionately impacts Northwest Ghana, prompting significant migration. The findings advocate for further development of inclusive climate policies that consider local vulnerabilities. Government officials and researchers emphasize the importance of these findings in informing future strategies for gender, migration, and climate resilience to foster sustainable development in affected communities.
Original Source: www.gbcghanaonline.com
