Tamale: YEFL-Ghana, an NGO, in collaboration with the Faculty of Sustainable Development at the University for Development Studies (UDS), has held a high-level stakeholders' conference on climate change in Tamale. The conference, dubbed the 'Savannah Climate Conference,' aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and community-driven climate action, particularly in Northern Ghana's vulnerable savannah ecological zone.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was organized with support from Oxfam in Ghana under the theme 'Savannah Solutions: Local Actions with Inclusion, Innovation and Impact.' The conference brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including academics, youth groups, civil society organizations, persons with disabilities, and other development partners.
Madam Vera Jawol Magan, Executive Director of YEFL-Ghana, emphasized the urgent need for collaborative, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to address the growing climate crisis in the savannah zone. She highlighted issues such as erratic rainfall, deforestation, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity as major challenges facing the area. She stressed that the core objective of the conference was to strengthen the linkages between institutions of higher learning and the grassroots communities most affected by climate change.
A key highlight of the conference was a presentation by the UDS Faculty of Sustainable Development, which shared findings from a 60-page survey on the drivers of commercial charcoal production in the savannah ecological zone and its environmental impacts. The survey concluded that while commercial charcoal burning could not be entirely eliminated, interventions such as carbon financing, improved cooking stoves, and inter-agency coordination platforms were essential. It also recommended developing a lighter regulatory framework to monitor and manage charcoal sector activities effectively.
Mr. Dokurugu Wumbei, Regional Programme Coordinator for Youth Education and Gender Equality at Oxfam in Ghana, reiterated Oxfam's commitment to climate action, environmental sustainability, and inclusive dialogue. He urged all stakeholders to leverage the conference as an opportunity to collectively address the pressing climate challenges in the region.
Dr. Emmanuel Abeere-inga, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, described forests and land resources as critical to the savannah ecological zone's survival, warning that they are under increasing threat from deforestation and unsustainable land use. He noted the government's efforts, through initiatives like the Tree for Life programme, to restore degraded lands via agroforestry and reforestation strategies. He also emphasized that forest conservation should be viewed as both an environmental and sustainable livelihood strategy.
Mr. Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, commended YEFL-Ghana and its partners for the initiative. He pledged full support to translate the conference outcomes into practical policies and programs that enhance the climate resilience of communities in the region.
