Theme; ‘Strengthening women Voices on climate change, Search for Solutions’
Seeks to identify the need for climate change issues to be mainstreamed
in development agenda
Our aim is to up-scale
local solutions and bringing the voices of those most affected by climate
change – women and traditionally excluded groups – to influence district development agenda and
plans of action on climate change at the national as well as influence
negotiations at the international level
Why women because they play a very important role in
our society and country. Women possessed important knowledge, skills and experiences
for shaping the adaptation process and the search for better and safer
communities; in fact, they are the bedrock of socio-economic development. In
view of that, we must always strive to promote their livelihoods, given their
roles in society. Am optimistic that with
continuous capacity-building, training and supporting community mobilization
efforts and actions, especially for women, national climate change adaptation
and mitigation measures would be localized and made more effective
Climate change is manifested in
Ghana through; raising temperatures; declining rainfall totals and variability
rising sea levels and weather extremes.
Climate Change Impact in Ghana
abound in agriculture, Water, Natural Resource, Energy, Impact on infrastructures
, sanitation and the soil sector
Climate change is caused largely by
human activities mostly by the north and which has a devastating effect on
people and economic activities in the south than the north.
Climate change vulnerability .are agriculture
based livelihood systems such as Crop failure & low yields, Loss of
livestock & fish stock, Increasing water scarcities, sanitation,
destruction of productive assets, pastoralist systems, Inland & coastal
fishing, aquaculture communities based systems, rural communities especially in
coastal, flood plains, dry land among others.
Adaptation measures to manage climate change risks . should include; Climate smart agricultural Fisheries
production, Diversification of livelihoods/ alternatives, Decentralization of
local governance of resources, Alternative energy uses, Infrastructural development,
Climate information, Early warning systems, Insurance schemes.
Policy suggestions .include
improving access to modern energy services at the local level, sustainable
liquid bio-energy, sustainable solid bio-energy, sustainable bio-gas energy,
Other renewable energies: solar-thermal, photovoltaic, wind and hydro power and
Research and dissemination of crop varieties adapted to local areas, Effective
use of genetic materials, indigenous knowledge use/ gender considerations,
promotion of agro-forestry & integrated farming systems, improved
infrastructure such as irrigation and water harvesting techniques, storage,
improved soil and water management, adaptation to farming systems and
livelihood strategies.
Adaptation and Mitigation Programmes ;
a. Increasing resilience to climate change impacts: identifying
and enhancing early warning systems
b. Alternative livelihoods: minimizing the impacts climate
change for the poor and vulnerable
c. Enhance national capacity to adapt to climate change through
improvement land use management
d. Managing water resources as climate change adaptation to
enhance productivity and livelihoods
e. minimizing climate change impacts on socio-economic
development through agricultural diversification
f. minimizing climate change impacts on human health through
improved access to healthcare
g. Demand and supply-side measures for adapting the national
energy system to impact of climate change
h.
Adaptation to climate change:
sustaining livelihoods through enhanced fisheries resource management
i. Developing resilience fisheries community
j. Natural barriers: Protection of coastal ecosystem,
k. Reducing vulnerability to Stalinization and coastal erosion,
and
l.
Awareness and preparedness for
emergencies in Tema
m.
Good sanitation practices
n.
Action that will reduces greenhouse
gas emissions
o.
Strengthens climate resilience
p.
To
reinforce and reward existing environmentally friendly lifestyles among youth,
thereby delaying or reducing the adoption of greenhouse gas emitting practices
among all Ghanaians
q.
To
raise awareness on social, cultural, economic, environmental and political
issues that contributes to climate change.
r.
Enhance
energy efficiency through energy saving bulbs, reducing wastage of electricity
and other domestic fuels.
s.
Campaign
against environmental degradation and Desertification
Urgent and ambitious action is
therefore imperative if we are to prevent dangerous climate change that
threatens to cause enormous human suffering, undermine economic progress and
poverty reduction, and trigger potentially catastrophic environmental changes.
Government of Ghana has a crucial
role to play by show leadership and must not only sign Climate change
agreements but enforce them.
Remember treat the earth well: it
was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. We
do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children.
“Before you make a decision that
affects the world’s climate, imagine the eyes of seven generations of women and
children in the future looking at you, and asking … Why?”
Onbehalf of Abibiman Foundation, The Perfect Example
Environmental Foundation and Global Green Environmental Network, AYICC –Ghana, GCAP-Ghana and IDAY-Ghana, We remind political leaders of their promise and their
responsibility to women and the future generations
Kenneth Nana Amoateng
Chief Executive Officer
Abibimman Foundation
