From devastating floods and prolonged droughts to threats to food production and livelihoods, the impacts of climate change are increasingly being felt across communities.
Experts and policymakers agree that climate change and environmental resilience must be treated as critical security issues, requiring urgent and coordinated action.
Climate change is increasingly impacting livelihoods, food systems, public health, and economic stability.
At an event to commemorate World Environment Day on June 5, Climate change advocates say it is urgent for climate issues to be mainstreamed into national security planning, and that building resilient communities is critical to safeguarding the country’s future.
WASCAL’s CCAN (Climate Change Action Now) is an advocacy initiative that amplifies youth voices, drives policy reform, and unites stakeholders to build sustainable climate resilience across West Africa.
Dr. Senyi SALACK, Director of Research and Director of the Competence Centre of WASCAL called for deliberate investments in adaptation and environmental protection, warning that climate-related shocks could worsen poverty and displacement.
“These things will keep happening unless we decide to do things differently. And this will mean that we prevent people from building on water ways, we do proper town engineering, create safe havens for people in flood prone areas and exhibit proper political will”, he said.
The Director General (Executive Director) of WASCAL Ing. Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde, expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conversations and the initiative will translate into policy briefs to influence policy making.
“Here at WASCAL, we support government actions and initiatives. We present our research findings, to government for onward use. The good thing is that Ghana is a leader at many platforms when it comes to these conversations, so there is hope,” he assured.
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, at the Ministry of Climate Change, Moses Ayamgah, indicated, government is committed to implementing policies aimed at enhancing climate and environmental resilience.
“We as a Ministry, are committed to ensuring that we implement practical measures and policies, that ensure climate safety and resilience”, he added.
Yearly, on World Environment Day, the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) provides a platform that brings together stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, academics, and international partners.
The event aims to move the national response to climate change beyond slogans and into practical action.
By Grace Hammoah Asare
