Droughts are significantly impacting the lives of farmers and residents in the Upper East Region, with the hardest-hit areas identified as the Kassena-Nankana West District, the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, and the Bongo District.
Farmers are losing their crops due to the droughts, and the struggle to obtain water for domestic use has further compounded the issue.
Benedict Fosu Arthur, Project Coordinator of the Green Africa Youth Organisation, attributed the situation to climate change and variability.
“As climate change intensifies, its impacts on agriculture—a primary livelihood for many in the Kassena-Nankana West, Kassena-Nankana Municipality, and Bongo districts—are becoming more severe. Prolonged droughts reduce water availability, affecting not just farming but also household water access and menstrual and sexual health,” he stated.
He spoke to A1 Radio’s Portia Dogbe on the sidelines of a three-week training.
The training, dubbed the Youth Climate Leadership Training of Trainers program, is organized by the Green Africa Youth Organisation in collaboration with Climate Action Africa and supported by the Government of Canada. This initiative aims to empower 75 young individuals, particularly women, to become climate leaders and trainers within their communities, addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
The training focuses on providing participants with valuable skills in several critical areas, including menstrual and sexual health education, peer leadership development, and practical techniques for water and soil conservation, such as zai pits and half-moons. Additionally, participants will learn about household water filtration, water harvesting, tree planting, and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Mr. Arthur explained that through the training, participants will be empowered to launch community projects, advocate for necessary policy changes, raise public awareness, and mentor others in their communities.
He added that this approach not only fosters climate resilience but also promotes gender equity, enabling young women to take active roles in climate and gender-related initiatives.
Participants who spoke to A1 Radio were enthusiastic about the potential impact they can make in their communities. By acquiring the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the challenges of climate change, they are poised to inspire and lead their peers, ensuring a sustainable future for their regions.
The Youth Climate Leadership Training of Trainers program is a significant step towards building a generation of informed and proactive climate leaders, ready to tackle the environmental challenges that lie ahead.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHZ | Portia Dogbe | Bolgatanga
