By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, April 28, GNA – A stakeholders’ workshop has been held on the review and implementation of the country’s National Drought Plan.
It was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
It formed part of a broader project dubbed: “Enabling Activities for Implementing UNCCD COP15 Decisions on Drought”, implemented by FAO and executed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The workshop brought together national stakeholders for consultations on the review of the National Drought Plan and to outline the key requirements for its effective implementation.
Discussions focused on addressing three enabling steps for the plan’s implementation including reviewing and updating the action plan to reflect current conditions, analysing and recommending how to align the drought plan with national regulatory frameworks, and developing an investment plan to translate the strategy into practical and bankable actions.
Professor Naana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of EPA, speaking during the workshop, said drought continued to significantly disrupt critical sectors of the economy and undermined sustainable development.
She said, “In recent times, we can all attest that the frequency and intensity of dry spells and droughts are rising with severe impacts on our communities, agriculture, and water resources, especially in the dry land areas of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zones.”
She said prolonged dry spells had led to increased bushfires, declining water levels in rivers and reservoirs, and posing negative impact on livelihoods.
She said this had triggered migration from affected areas as people moved in search of better economic opportunities.
Professor Klutse emphasised the need for timely collective responses and innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of the environment and future development.
Dr Ibrahim Mutala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, whose speech was read on his behalf, highlighted the rising frequency and severity of drought events underscoring the need for strategic planning and implementation.
He mentioned several key interventions aimed at addressing drought and dry spells, including the Ghana Environmental Management Project, the Ghana Sustainable Land and Water Management Project, and the ongoing Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project.
He called for proactive planning, community cooperation, and the adoption of innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of drought to build national resilience.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, commended FAO, EPA, and their partners for organising the workshop and urged stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing the impact of drought and dry spells.
GNA
EA/CA