A Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Change under the theme, “Building Inclusive Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Northern Region” was held in Tamale on Friday, 23 September, 2022.

The Dean of the School of Applied Economics and Management Sciences at the University for Development Studies, UDS, Prof. Samuel A. Donkoh who delivered the keynote address, provided an overview of the effects of climate change in Northern Ghana. He indicated that climate change happens when the earth’s climate system adjusts and displays new weather patterns that can last for a few decades or up to millions of years.

Prof. Donkoh showed evidence of how the average global temperature is rising, particularly, in recent years. He said, 2009 was the second warmest year recorded, with a global average temperature of 1.15 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial averages.

He enumerated the following as some of the  effects of climate change in Ghana:

• The uncertainties in the future climate will be far more significant than in the past.
• Rainfall variability will be high in the forest regions than the rest of the country
• Climate change is likely to bring unbearable disruptions to the electricity system, cash crop production, urban migration, livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the coastline.

Prof. Hamdiyah Alhassan speaking at the Multi-Stakeholder dialogue on Climate Change

Another staff of the University for Development Studies, Prof. Hamdiyah Alhassan, who is also the Director of the Kazuhiko Takeuchi Centre for Sustainable and Resilience (KTCSR) spoke on the issue of creating opportunities in waste for green jobs, community development and climate resilient cities in Ghana.

Prof. Hamdiyah Alhassan made mention of how waste releases methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when it is dumped in the open or burned. She explained that methane traps heat, causing climate change, while dumped solid waste clogs drains which result in flooding.

Under her watch as the Director, the Centre has launched the Sustainable Africa Projects (SAP), which is an initiative aimed at combatting climate change and increasing “green jobs” opportunities in waste for farmers and the youth in Ghana. The SAP also aims to train farmers and the youth in transforming waste into valuable products for agriculture and energy.

Prof Hamdiya Alhassan added that KTCSR also aims to partner with government and non-governmental organizations to create entrepreneurial opportunities in waste for farmers and youth.  Mr. Tawiah Mensah Cobbinah who is also a lecturer at the UDS Campus in Nyankpala supported Prof. Hamdiyah during the presentation.

Multi-stakeholder Dialogue also saw in attendance, the Programmes Coordinator, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (EPPC), the Director of Youth Advocacy on Right and Opportunities (YARO) and  the General Secretary of the General  Agricultural Worker’s Union (GAWU).

Story by: Iddrisu Abdul Malik (University Relations)