By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Aug. 28, GNA – A coalition of youth movements and groups in the Upper West Region have called for the decentralisation of climate policy implementation to ensure climate justice, sustainable future and safeguard livelihoods.
It called on the government to ensure that climate policies were fully integrated into Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies’ development plans, with dedicated funds for climate action and a monitoring mechanism to hold duty bearers accountable.
The coalition, led by the She Leads Social Movement and Activista Ghana, made the call in a petition to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council on strengthening climate policy implementation for a just and sustainable future in the Upper West Region.
Mrs Felicia Baganiah, Focal Person of the She Leads Social Movement, Upper West Region, presented the petition to Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister.
The Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD-Ghana) facilitated the petition as part of activities to mark the 2025 International Youth Day on the theme: “Climate Justice Now: Voices from the Youth, Action for All.”
The groups expressed concern that the Upper West Region, one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in Ghana, was grappling with rapid deforestation, environmental degradation, indiscriminate charcoal burning and illegal mining, which threaten food security and water resources.
They noted that despite Ghana’s adoption of climate frameworks such as the National Climate Change Policy and the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, implementation at the district and regional levels remained slow.
“Without urgent and decentralised action, our region risks losing its ecological balance, its economic base, and the future of its young people.
It is against this background that we call on the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council to rise to the challenge and lead a bold agenda for climate justice, resilience, and inclusive development”, the petition said.
The petition said by strengthening policy implementation in the region, they could build resilience that protected livelihoods, ensured food security and promoted sustainable development for all.
Other demands included: placing women, youth and marginalised groups at the centre of resilience strategies, intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, protecting water bodies, and collaborating with traditional authorities and youth groups in enforcing environmental laws.
Receiving the petition, Mr Puozuing said they would take the necessary steps within the power of the RCC to implement the recommendations, while those beyond the RCC’s capacity would be forwarded to the central government for consideration.
“Likely, the President has set up a desk designated for climate … which shows that the President and his administration are interested in issues related to the environment and climate change”, Mr Puozuing indicated
The petition presentation was preceded by a float along some principal streets of Wa to drum home the need for concerted efforts to strengthen climate policy implementation for a just and sustainable future in the region.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /George-Ramsey Benamba