Kumasi: Some female owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have called for a renewed national mindset and behaviour towards climate change, to help reduce its adverse effects on the growth and sustainability of their businesses. The women, engaged in various trades across the country, said extreme weather patterns brought on by climate change continued to hamper productivity and sales, ultimately threatening their livelihoods and economic empowerment.
According to Ghana News Agency, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While these changes can occur naturally, since the 1800s, human activities-primarily the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas-have been the main drivers. These activities release greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun's heat and raising global temperatures. The resulting effects include flooding, prolonged droughts, rising sea levels, intense storms, and desertification.
Mrs. Paulina Addo, a bakery and beverage shop operator in Kumasi, expressed concerns in a telephone interview that long and heavy rainfall patterns disrupted her sales and earnings. "When it's the season for heavy rainfall, I start panicking because I think of how to pay my children's school fees and pay my few workers. People barely come to buy pastries and drinks when it rains," she lamented. The financial strain is compounded by her reliance on a loan facility from Asa Savings and Loans, which becomes stressful if repayment deadlines are missed.
Similarly, Mrs. Habibatu Amadi, a mushroom farmer in Yamfo, Tano North District of the Ahafo Region, described the challenges she faces due to climate fluctuations. Her business was just recovering from a slump during the previous dry season. She elaborated on the financial drain of maintaining her crops, which require frequent spraying to thrive during dry spells, significantly affecting her profit margins. Mrs. Amadi suggested climate-friendly practices like recycling plastic waste to mitigate environmental harm.
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Founder of Agrihouse Foundation, highlighted the vulnerability of traditional smallholder farmers to erratic weather patterns, due to limited irrigation facilities. She also pointed out the destructive impact of illegal mining, known as 'galamsey,' on agricultural lands, particularly among female farmers, urging public support for climate mitigation efforts to protect livelihoods and ensure food security.
