Ghana establishes Centre of Excellence for Global Environmental Change Research
Ghana, in collaboration with development partners, has set-up Centre of Excellence for Global Environmental Change Research at the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Development, said in Accra.
She said the Centre would focus on training and human resource development, building climate change adaptation research capacity, influencing policy through general public awareness and targeted advocacy, and disseminating knowledge and best practices in climate change adaptation.
Speaking at a workshop on Climate Change Adaptation Experiences in Ghana, Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu said in view of the development, University of Ghana was mainstreaming Climate Change issues into its courses and introduced a new post graduate programme in climate change as measures to enhance the pool of climate change experts in the country.
The workshop was organised by a consortium of institutions implementing the project: “Building Capacity to meet the Climate Change Challenge (B4C) in Ghana” which includes UG, Ghana Wildlife Society, Centre for African Wetlands and CARE International Ghana.
Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu, who is also the B4C Project Director, said while the challenges of climate change mounted, climate expertise and adaptation research capacity remained limited in Ghana and other parts of Africa.
He said African countries including Ghana, faced huge social economic and environmental challenges that were likely to be worsened by the impact of climate change, therefore the urgent need for the setting up of the centre.
Speaking on behalf of CARE International Country Director, Mr Philip Christensen; Mr Baba Tuahiru, CARE Advocacy Manager called on African Countries to set up Climate Change Funds as the outcome of the recent World Climate Change summit revealed that developing countries could not depend on developed nations.
He expressed indignation about some of the outcome of the Durban 2011, UN Climate Change Summit which ended with the setting up of Green Climate Change Funds but without any proper indicator of sources of funding.
“CARE International considers the outcome as no deal so far as developing countries are concern,” Mr Tuahiru stated.
Mr Tuahiru stressed that CARE International would continue to work with the Government, civil society organisations and communities to implement scientifically sound and socially equitable climate change strategic policies as mitigation and adaptation against global warming.
Mr Reuben Ottou, Acting Executive Director of Ghana Wildlife Society, said the workshop sought to promote information sharing and collaboration among climate change adaptation decision makers, researchers, civil society and non-governmental organisations working in the environmental sector.
He said it would also identify gaps in knowledge required to strengthen implementation of effective adaptation measures in Ghana.
Source: GNA