Women provide effective responses to climate change challenges

Tema, Sep 22, GNA-Miss Gloria Kafui Amegah, Climate Change Ambassador of Environmental Health Club (EHC), a Tema-based non-governmental organisation, on Wednesday commended Ghanaian women for providing effective solutions to the numerous challenges posed by climate change.

These, she said, include sustainable organic farming, water harvesting, afforestation and forest protection, the creation of grain banks and the preservation of flood and drought resistant seeds, the construction of dams to store water for agriculture, and the development of new skills.

Miss Amegah made the commendation at the official launch in Tema of Women Climate Justice Hearings slated for September 22 to October 12, during which the Club and the Abibiman Foundation, another NGO in Tema, would tour the Northern, Eastern, Volta and Greater-Accra Regions to meet women who had experienced climate change-related problems, to share their experiences with members of the NGOs.

The theme for the occasion which is being sponsored jointly by Global Call to Action Against Poverty and Feminist Task Force, is: “Strengthening Voices-Search For Solutions.”

She pointed out that for women in low income groups, the world over, global warming meant more and harder work, since they and their daughters spent more time and energy in search of water and firewood, as streams dried up, ground water dwindled, and forests and other vegetation were at the mercy of drought or severe storms.

Miss Amegah regretted that in spite of the crucial role women played in climate change, their voices were still not heard in debates around climate change at the local, regional, national or international levels.

Mr Kenneth Nana Amoateng, Chief Executive Officer of Abibiman Foundation, was optimistic that with continuous capacity-building, training and supporting community mobilization efforts and actions, especially for women, national climate change adaptation and mitigation measures would be localized and made more effective.

He noted that the responsibilities of women in households and communities as guardians of natural resources, had prepared them well for livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities.

Mr Nana Amoateng said given their roles in society, women possessed important knowledge, skills and experiences for shaping the adaptation process and the search for better and safer communities.