By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, Feb. 17, GNA – The Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR) has held a series of stakeholder engagements with selected communities and policymakers, to address the recurring impacts of the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam and other climate-related challenges.
The engagements formed part of the implementation of the Adaptation and Vulnerability – Strengthening Trans-disciplinary Engagement for Climate Resistance (AV-STEC) project.
The first set of meetings brought together representatives from affected communities, along the Volta Basin, to discuss their concerns arising from the annual flooding caused by the Bagre Dam spillage.
Community members highlighted the destruction of farmlands, displacement of households, and disruption of livelihoods as major challenges, while also drawing attention to extreme drought conditions during the dry season.
The engagements also sought to identify locally appropriate climate mitigation and adaptation measures that could help communities better cope with the recurring floods and associated climate risks.
The team also met policymakers and government institutions operating within the selected districts.
Participants included District and Municipal Chief Executives, agricultural officers, district police commanders, and other relevant state agencies.
Discussions focused on key policy and implementation gaps, coordination challenges, and practical solutions to reduce community vulnerability to climate shocks.
Stakeholders unanimously agreed on the urgency and relevance of the AV-STEC project, describing it as critical to strengthening climate resilience and improving preparedness among affected communities.
All stakeholders present pledged their commitment to supporting the project and contributing expertise and resources when called upon.
The AV-STEC project is being implemented by the CBCR in Ghana and Naturama in Burkina Faso, in partnership with York University in Canada and START International in the United States.
It focuses on building climate resilience for vulnerable communities along the Volta Basin in Ghana and Burkina Faso through trans-disciplinary engagement, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions.
The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) initiative.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo