The Savannah Climate Conference, organised by YEFL-Ghana in collaboration with the Faculty of Sustainable Development at the University for Development Studies (UDS), recently took place in Tamale. The event, supported by Oxfam in Ghana, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss climate change and its impact on Northern Ghana’s vulnerable savannah ecological zone.
Bridging Research and Community Action
The conference, themed “Savannah Solutions: Local Actions with Inclusion, Innovation and Impact”, aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and community-driven climate action. Madam Vera Jawol Magan, Executive Director of YEFL-Ghana, emphasised the need for collaborative, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to address the growing climate crisis in the region. She pointed out the challenges of erratic rainfall, deforestation, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity that are affecting the savannah zone.
Madam Magan also highlighted the conference’s core objective, which was to strengthen links between institutions of higher learning and the grassroots communities most affected by climate change. “Our partnership with UDS underscores the need to translate scientific research into practical community-level solutions that reflect the lived realities of rural populations,” she explained.
Transforming Climate Knowledge into Action
Despite the wealth of climate knowledge within academic institutions, its practical application at the community level has been limited. Through this partnership, YEFL-Ghana and UDS aim to make climate research findings more accessible and actionable, particularly for the youth and other vulnerable groups often excluded from climate conversations.
Survey Findings on Charcoal Production
A significant highlight of the conference was a presentation by the UDS Faculty of Sustainable Development, which shared the findings of a 60-page survey focused on the drivers of commercial charcoal production in the savannah zone. The study examined the environmental impacts of charcoal burning and concluded that while the practice cannot be eliminated, interventions such as carbon financing of improved cooking stoves and inter-agency coordination were essential. The survey also called for a lighter regulatory framework to monitor and manage activities within the charcoal sector.
Commitment to Climate Action
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 take advantage of the conference to collaborate and tackle the pressing climate challenges in the region.
Deforestation Threats and Government Efforts
Dr. Emmanuel Abeere-Inga, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, spoke about the threats posed by deforestation and unsustainable land use to the savannah ecological zone. He emphasised that forests and land resources were crucial to the region’s sustainability. Dr. Abeere-Inga highlighted the government’s efforts, such as the Tree for Life programme, which focuses on restoring degraded lands through agroforestry and reforestation strategies. He stressed that forest conservation should be viewed not just as an environmental necessity but also as a means of promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Support for Policy Implementation
Mr. Ali Adolf John, the Northern Regional Minister, commended YEFL-Ghana and its partners for organising the conference. While his speech was delivered on his behalf, he expressed full support for translating the conference outcomes into practical policies and programs that would enhance the climate resilience of communities in the region.
The Savannah Climate Conference provided an essential platform for discussing innovative, inclusive, localised solutions to climate change, ensuring that both research and community efforts work hand in hand to mitigate the challenges faced by Northern Ghana’s savannah zone.
