The Ministry of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability is considering the establishment of Climate and Sustainability Units in all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen climate governance and improve community-level responses to the growing impact of climate change.
The Minister of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu, announced the proposal during a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, in Bolgatanga on Monday.
He said the proposed units would support a decentralised approach to climate action by equipping local authorities to develop and implement adaptation measures tailored to the needs of their communities, with successful interventions scaled up for national implementation.
The minister described the Upper East Region as one of Ghana’s most climate-vulnerable areas, citing recurrent floods, prolonged heat waves and other climate-related shocks that continue to threaten livelihoods and economic activities.
He stressed that strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and local authorities was critical to building resilient communities capable of adapting to the effects of climate change.
“We want to strengthen local authorities to develop community-led adaptation measures that can be scaled up,” Alhaji Issifu said.
Responding, Mr. Atanga said climate change was taking a heavy toll on agriculture, the region’s mainstay, as declining soil fertility and erratic weather patterns force farmers to spend more on fertilisers while recording poor yields.
He warned that the situation was eroding farmers’ incomes and posing a serious threat to livelihoods and food production.
The Regional Minister also expressed concern over the growing shift of young people from farming to gold mining, saying the trend could undermine the country’s long-term food security if left unchecked.
“We do not eat gold or minerals,” he said, stressing that agriculture must remain at the centre of Ghana’s development agenda.
Mr. Atanga said the importance of addressing climate-related challenges informed the inclusion of a climate change component in the recently held Upper East Economic Development, Business and Exhibition Forum, where stakeholders explored practical strategies for improving the region’s climate resilience.
The proposed Climate and Sustainability Units form part of the Ministry’s efforts to deepen local participation in climate governance and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to the increasing effects of climate change.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
