700 participants attend 7th Evidence to Action Conference, Exhibition in Accra

 About 700 stake­holders from 40 countries have gathered in Gha­na to participate in the 7th Evi­dence to “Action Conference and Exhibition” underway in Accra.

The event, on the theme; “Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation,” has brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from diverse fields to explore effective strategies and solutions.

Participants will discuss vari­ous topics aimed at identifying actionable measures for climate adaptation and enhancing resilience against its adverse effects.

The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innova­tion, Ms Ophelia Mensah Hayford, addressing the gathering called for private sector involvement in fund­ing adaptation plans and infrastruc­ture resilient to climate change.

She stressed the need for inter­national collaboration and innova­tion in research and development to address the evolving challenges.

Ms Hayford underscored the disproportionate burden borne by Africa, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.

She expressed worry about the challenges posed by climate change, from erratic weather patterns to height­ened vulnerability to diseases like malaria.

She stressed the critical need for resilience and adapta­tion strategies to mitigate these effects, citing initiatives such as the construction of 570 small dams to support farmers and the implementation of sustainable land management practices benefitting over 40,000 farmers.

The minister also highlighted the establishment of community water management plans and the con­struction of 330 warehouses aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, underscoring Ghana’s proactive steps towards climate resilience.

“Increasing our capacity to adapt to climate change is paramount,” Ms Hayford declared, outlining key strategies including strengthening support institutions, promoting sustainable use of natural resourc­es, and establishing early warning systems for disasters.

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the Uni­versity, said the conference would serve as a pivotal initiative in deepening partnerships with stake­holders to find global solutions, aligning with the university’s stra­tegic vision of fostering impactful engagements.

“We are excited to be part of this collaborative effort,” Prof. Amfo expressed, underscoring the importance of such platforms in driving long-term national goals.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that outcomes from the conference would inform future policies, leveraging the collective expertise of researchers, policy­makers, and practitioners present.

“The outcomes of discussions here will guide our path forward, I am optimistic that the importance of collaborative efforts would help achieve a meaningful climate solutions,” she said.

The Special Advisor at the Vice President’s Secretariat, Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, said Ghana had recognised the critical importance of integrating climate resilience into national development plans, noting that such efforts as the Na­tional Climate Change Policy and Adaptation Plan aim to safeguard communities and ecosystems.

However, he said some chal­lenges persisting included the need for inclusive adaptation strategies that involve and empower local communities.

“Initiatives like the Green Ghana Project, which mobilises citizens to plant trees nationwide, demon­strate the power of community-led action in enhancing resilience and fostering environmental steward­ship,” he cited.

The Board Chairman, Inter­national Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED), Dr Namanga Ngongi, said according to Africa risk capacity, the conti­nent had suffered 1400 weather related disasters.

The Economic Growth Office Director, USAID Mission, Ghana, Mr Andrew Read, said the United States, over the years had sup­ported Ghana to tackle climate changes.

“This assistance includes capaci­ty building, carbon credit initiatives, and support from the US Forest Service to combat deforestation,” he said.

He stressed the global nature of climate change and the need for concerted international efforts to mitigate its impacts and build sustainable futures.

 BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG