Climate Change Measures Urged to Address Social, Psychological Needs – Advocates.

Accra: Climate change advocates, environmentalists, and social psychologists have emphasized the necessity for climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies that cater to both environmental challenges and the social and psychological needs of affected populations. They argue that the repercussions of climate change extend beyond environmental issues, significantly impacting the social and psychological well-being of vulnerable groups, particularly children, women, and people living with disabilities.According to Ghana News Agency, speakers at the Bosch West Africa Regional activity on gender and climate change, held in Shiabu, Dansoman, Accra, highlighted the indirect link between climate change and socio-psychological factors. Madam Sylvia Hagan, Project Lead for the Climate Mental Health Initiative, noted that climate change has far-reaching effects on social, economic, and psychological dimensions, affecting livelihoods, properties, and mental health. She cited examples from the fishing community, where rising sea levels and declining fish yields are exacerbating social inequalities and stress levels, thereby raising significant mental health concerns.Madam Hagan recommended providing psychological support to community members to help them manage stress and called on the government to implement sustainable alternative livelihood programs. She also advocated for incorporating psychotherapy into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).Mr. Roland Padi, Lead Researcher of the Bosch Alumni Ghana Research Team, shared findings from a study on the socio-psychological impacts on women living along Ghana's coastal belt. Women in the Shiabu community reported altered rainfall patterns, sea pollution, low fish yields, and high sea levels, all contributing to heightened stress levels. Mr. Padi urged the government to accelerate the construction of a sea defense in Shiabu and collaborate with fishing authorities and local assemblies to raise awareness about climate change and promote effective waste manage ment.Miss Emmaryn Lucy, West Africa Regional Coordinator of the Bosch Alumni Network, highlighted the project's aim to understand the distress faced by women, noting that climate change has also affected marriages. She stressed the importance of policy interventions to address these challenges and empower vulnerable groups in the fishing sector, who are often excluded from decision-making processes. The initiative also involved donating bins to some households to aid waste management efforts.The Bosch West Africa Regional activity spanned a week and included panel discussions on fostering productive engagement between policymakers and fishers, with participants from Senegal, The Gambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Togo, and Cote d'Ivoire. Other activities included a cleanup exercise at La Boma Beach, partnerships with Ghanaian corporate institutions, and presentations of research findings.