EU and IWMI support 19 Ghanaian scholars to champion climate resilience

By Juliet ETEFE

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Ghana, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), has celebrated the graduation of 19 Ghanaian scholars under the Resilience Against Climate Change-Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) project.

This initiative marks a significant step in building climate-resilient communities, equipping young professionals with the skills and expertise to address climate change, migration, and gender-related challenges.

It also marks a significant milestone in the EU’s commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders for building climate-resilient communities in Ghana.

The graduation ceremony, themed “Building Capacity of the Next Generation for Climate Resilient Development,” highlighted the achievements of four PhD and fifteen Master’s scholars.

Their research provides crucial insights into the interconnectedness of climate vulnerabilities and social transformation in Northwestern Ghana.

Prior to the graduation ceremony, the scholarship beneficiaries had an exclusive engagement with the EU Ambassador Irchad Razaaly to share their research findings.

The Ambassador commended the graduates for their dedication, stating, “Today we celebrate not just academic achievements but the birth of 19 champions for climate resilience; these leaders are now armed with the tools to drive transformative change in Ghana and beyond.”

Future of climate resilience efforts

The research findings underscored the pressing challenges posed by climate change in Ghana, with projections indicating that by 2050, temperatures will rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius, rainfall volumes will decrease, and sea levels will continue rising, leading to increased flooding, coastal erosion, and food insecurity.

Their research findings indicate that the country is experiencing rapid environmental and social changes, with climate change significantly affecting agriculture, migration patterns, and economic stability.

The scholars stressed the urgent need for practical solutions, including climate-smart agriculture, strengthened institutional capacity, and gender-inclusive climate policies

The scholars stressed the importance of integrating climate resilience planning into Ghana’s development agenda, especially in agriculture, forestry, water management, and energy production.

EU’s commitment to climate resilience

The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ghana, Massimo Mina, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting research, education, and capacity building to enhance climate resilience.

Speaking at the ceremony, he emphasised that the REACH-STR project is part of the broader EU-Ghana Agricultural Program (EUGAP), which integrates market-oriented agriculture, infrastructure development, and climate adaptation strategies.

Mr. Mina highlighted that climate resilience efforts must go beyond policy frameworks to practical implementation.

He stated, “By strengthening local institutions and enhancing the skills of young professionals, we will empower communities to adapt more effectively to climate challenges.”

He further noted that the EU believes in investing in knowledge and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development, and that research findings from initiatives like REACH-STR will inform future policies to address climate-related vulnerabilities.

In an interview, Mr. Mina explained that while the REACH-STR project is only one component of the EU’s larger agricultural initiative, adding that scientific research plays a vital role in shaping policy, and findings from the scholars’ work will be used to tailor ongoing and future interventions under the EU’s agricultural programs.

IWMI research impact

Deputy Country Representative at IWMI Ghana, Dr. Birhanu Zemadim, also commended the scholars and acknowledged the strong partnership between IWMI, the EU, and academic institutions in delivering the REACH-STR project.

He noted that the initiative has successfully built the capacity of young researchers to tackle Ghana’s most pressing climate-related challenges.

Dr. Zemadim emphasised that the scholars’ work highlights the critical need for integrating social transformation into climate adaptation strategies.

He stated, “The research carried out by these graduates holds the potential to influence policy and development interventions, ensuring they are grounded in social transformation and consider the multifaceted impacts of climate vulnerabilities on communities.”

He also pointed out that the students’ findings underscore the realities of climate change in Ghana, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and increasing migration due to climate pressures.

The research showed that men often adapt through climate-smart agriculture, while women focus on off-farm activities such as trade and savings to support household resilience.

Scholars

The graduates expressed their gratitude to the EU and IWMI for investing in their education and providing them with the opportunity to contribute to climate resilience efforts.

They acknowledged that the knowledge gained through the REACH-STR program has equipped them to take on leadership roles in addressing climate change in Ghana.

The post EU and IWMI support 19 Ghanaian scholars to champion climate resilience appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story