The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a six-year climate resilience project aimed at strengthening the livelihoods of vulnerable smallholder farming communities and addressing the growing effects of climate change in Northern Ghana.
The Climate Resilient Landscapes for Sustainable Livelihoods in Northern Ghana (CRL-SL) project seeks to improve food security, restore degraded landscapes and strengthen the capacity of farming communities to cope with droughts, floods and other climate-related challenges.
Speaking at the launch and inception meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, said the initiative has become necessary because climate change is increasingly threatening agricultural production, rural livelihoods and the environmental sustainability of communities in northern Ghana.
She described the project as a critical and time-bound intervention designed to build resilience among vulnerable smallholder farmers and communities across selected districts.
“We are gathered here to launch this critical and time-bound project to help address climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana,” Prof. Browne Klutse said.
The project will be implemented in eight priority districts across the Upper West, Upper East and North East regions.
The intervention will target vulnerable communities in areas including Jirapa Municipality, Lambussie District, Lawra Municipality and Wa West District in the Upper West Region, as well as Binduri and Garu in the Upper East Region and selected districts in the North East Region.
Prof. Browne Klutse said the inception meeting marks an important starting point for stakeholders to map out a clear implementation strategy for the next six years.
She urged participants to use the meeting to share knowledge and experiences and develop practical approaches that would ensure the project achieves its intended objectives.
According to the EPA CEO, the adverse effects of climate change have contributed to the weakening of rural economies in northern Ghana, with farming communities facing increasing threats from unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, floods and land degradation.
She said the project would therefore focus on building climate-resilient agricultural systems while restoring degraded landscapes and promoting alternative livelihoods.
The project is expected to strengthen the capacity of beneficiary communities to adopt climate-resilient agriculture, undertake landscape restoration, improve drought and flood management, and develop alternative livelihoods that are less vulnerable to climate change.
“These interventions will ultimately safeguard food security, protect farmer livelihoods and reduce environmental degradation under changing weather patterns,” she said.
The EPA estimates that approximately 120,000 men and women in 120 communities across the eight priority districts will benefit directly from the project.
Beyond the direct beneficiaries, the project will also provide early warning advisories to the wider population within the participating districts.
The early warning component is expected to help communities better prepare for extreme weather events and reduce the potential impact of floods, droughts and other climate-related hazards.
Prof. Browne Klutse emphasised that effective implementation would require strong collaboration among government institutions, development partners, local authorities, traditional leaders, farmers and beneficiary communities.
The EPA CEO expressed appreciation to institutions that contributed to bringing the project to the implementation stage.
She specifically commended staff of the Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana Meteorological Agency, Water Resources Commission and Ministry of Food and Agriculture for their dedication and commitment.
She also expressed gratitude to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which serves as the project’s executing entity, for its technical support.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was also acknowledged for providing financial support for the initiative.
Prof. Browne Klutse said the collaboration demonstrates the importance of partnerships in addressing the complex environmental and socioeconomic challenges associated with climate change.
She expressed confidence that the project could contribute to building stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities across the target districts and Ghana as a whole.
Prof. Browne Klutse reaffirmed the EPA’s commitment to initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and improve the livelihoods of communities vulnerable to climate change.
She said the Authority would continue to support interventions aimed at protecting the environment while strengthening the capacity of communities to withstand the effects of changing climatic conditions.
She stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that the project delivers meaningful and lasting benefits to beneficiary communities.
The launch and inception meeting provided a platform for implementing partners and stakeholders to establish the framework for the six-year intervention, with particular emphasis on climate-resilient agriculture, environmental restoration, disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihoods in Northern Ghana.
By 1960news.com
