Accra: Data collection for a project that focuses on the impact of heat stress on women's livelihoods in some of Accra's vulnerable communities has commenced.
According to Ghana News Agency, the PALM TREE project initiative deploys a mix of surveys and i-button sensors across nine heat-prone communities, including James Town, Nima, Mallam Atta, Kanda, Mamobi, Kotobabi, Accra New Town, Chorkor, and Darkuman, all in the Greater Accra Region. A statement issued in Sunyani highlighted that the project aims to work with stakeholders and policymakers to develop climate-resilient solutions tailored to marginalized populations.
The activities undertaken included training of enumerators, engaging local and traditional authorities, and installing i-button sensors to gather heat stress data. The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), led by Dr. Naomi Kumi, a Senior Lecturer, together with PhD candidate Rachel Yeboah Nketiah, in partnership with their research team from Sustainable Solutions for Africa (SSA), Togo, Namo Lawson, and Francis Balo, officially launched the data collection activity for the project in the Accra case study on January 15, 2025.
A two-day workshop was held to equip enumerators with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively carry out data collection activities, emphasizing the importance of understanding local languages like Twi and Ga for seamless communication with target populations.
From January 17 to January 21, 2025, the team introduced the project to local, traditional, and political authorities in the selected communities, ensuring smooth data collection. The i-button sensors, designed to track heat exposure, were installed in 27 small businesses and households, focusing on women in the informal sector.
Although logistical challenges such as the women's willingness to partake in the activities arose, the team adapted swiftly to keep the project on schedule. The data collected will offer invaluable insights into how heat stress affects women in Accra's informal sector. These findings will inform future policies and solutions to build climate resilience among vulnerable groups.
The PALM TREEs Project stands as a model for tackling climate challenges and empowering communities. This research is part of a broader effort by PALM TREEs to address the severe socio-economic impacts of climate extremes across Africa. Unlike traditional climate studies, which often overlook marginalized communities, PALM TREEs takes a pan-African, transdisciplinary approach, ensuring that climate information is practical, accessible, and tailored to local needs.
In West Africa, the project partners with the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, and Sustainable Solutions for Africa (SSA) in Ghana to analyze the effects of rising temperatures on health and economic activities, particularly among women in Accra's informal sector. The insights gained will shape climate-resilient policies and offer scalable solutions for addressing heat stress in urban settings.
