Severe Climate Change in Northwest Ghana Fuels Migration: Research Insights

Research indicates that Northwest Ghana is facing severe climate change leading to increased migration southward. Conducted by Master’s and PhD students under the REACH-STR project, findings highlight the need for inclusive climate interventions and effective policy development. The project, supported by the European Union, aims to foster climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

Recent research findings indicate that Northwest Ghana is experiencing pronounced effects of climate change relative to other regions in the country. This environmental strain has led to a significant migration of individuals toward the southern areas. The studies, undertaken by a consortium of 14 Master’s students and four PhD students, reveal that local residents perceive migration as a primary method of coping with climate change effects.

The results of these research projects were presented during the graduation event for 18 scholarship recipients affiliated with the Resilience Against Climate Change-Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) project, which is supported by the European Union and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The research focused on selected communities in the Upper West and Savannah Regions, aiming to address critical knowledge gaps in policy and development contexts related to climate change, migration, and gender.

Dr. Birhanu Zemadim Birhanu, Deputy Country Representative and Senior Researcher at IWMI, addressed the ceremony, emphasizing the necessity for better logistics to document social transformations occurring in the north. He commented that the findings produce essential evidence that can inform comprehensive climate intervention planning. Dr. Zemadim asserted the initiative would facilitate constructive policy dialogue aimed at advancing gender, migration, and climate resilience strategies.

Describing the graduation as a significant intellectual milestone, Dr. Zemadim praised the REACH-STR project for equipping future social scientists with vital expertise to confront climate change and associated migration challenges. He articulated that the event, themed “Building Capacity of the Next Generation for Climate-Resilient Development,” aligns with the project’s goal to bolster institutional capacity in Northwestern Ghana.

Massimo Mina, the Head of EU Cooperation, encouraged government bodies to incorporate these findings into their climate policy frameworks, arguing that the graduates’ studies yield valuable insights essential for developing effective climate strategies tailored to address local vulnerabilities and needs.

Prior to their graduation, the scholars met with Mr. Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, who commended their endeavors and contributions toward enhancing climate resilience. Some scholarship recipients recounted their transformative experiences studying at the Center for Migration Studies and SD Dombo University, emphasizing the substantial knowledge gained to combat climate change impacts in the northern regions of Ghana.

The REACH-STR project is a six-year initiative that commenced in February 2019 with funding of €2.3 million from the European Union. Implemented in the Upper West and Savannah Regions, the project seeks to generate knowledge on social transformation and its implications for sustainable rural development, climate adaptation, and migration.

In summary, the findings from the research conducted in Northwest Ghana reveal a concerning trend of severe climate change impacting local populations, resulting in increased migration toward southern regions. The REACH-STR project plays a critical role in addressing these challenges by equipping scholars with the necessary tools to contribute to policy development and fostering a climate-resilient future. Stakeholders, including government representatives and EU officials, are urged to consider these insights in shaping effective and inclusive climate policies.

Original Source: www.gbcghanaonline.com