The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) in collaboration with the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP) has inaugurated the Schools Green Climate Clubs in Tamale. The goal of the initiative is to spread knowledge on climate change, adaptation, and its associated mitigation measures across all second cycle institutions in the Northern Region and nationwide.
The measure is one of the nation’s concerted efforts in approaching and addressing issues of climate change in the country.
The Ag Director-General of Ghana Meteorological Agency, Mr. Eric Essuman, in his remarks said the Green Climate Clubs seek to give an immense scope to specifically High School students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding on Climate sustainability and environmental development.
“The vision for these clubs is to nature climate smart generation. The generation that is sensitive to climate change, generation who decisions are influence by their impact on the climate, and a generation who are empowered to take action on issues related to climate change, support SDG 13 and the nation’s socioeconomic development” he added.
The clubs are mandated to coordinate events like workshops and trainings, guide students to design and establish other climate action related activities such as school gardens, tree planting and awareness creation among other their peers and to implement sustainable climate friendly solutions.
The sustainable development goal 13 enjoins Ghana as a UN member state to take steps to combat climate change by 2030 and this is certainly an initiative to achieve the target.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in a presentation read on her deputy, Ms Ama Pomaa, said the Akufo-Addo government is committed to address the issues related to Climate Change having full cognisance of the lack of environmental and climate change education, particularly among our youth.
According to her, the government announced the Climate Change Learning Strategy (CCLS) initiative aimed at introducing climate change lessons into the curriculum of basic schools in the country, to improve children’s knowledge and influence positive behaviour towards the environment.
Mrs. Ekuful disclosed the government since 2018 has provided 14 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), Collaboration equipment, 15 Operational Vehicles, Message Switching System among others to the Ghana Meteorological Agency since 2018 that improve the operation of the Agency in their service delivery.
“In line with the above, the Ministry will continue to put in efforts to re-equip GMet to vigorously pursue this programme” she assured.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, for his part commended the Ghana Meteorological Agency for the step taken, stating the formation of the clubs is an important step toward addressing the country’s environmental challenges.
He said the theme for the inauguration: “The future of weather, climate and water across generations” is a timely reminder that the choice we make today will have a lasting impact on future generations.
Mr. Shani noted the Northern Region has experienced an irregular rainfall pattern and protracted droughts which have an impact on food security and economic hardships for many communities, adding the intense heat waves has also been prevalent in the area leading to an increase in ailments related to the heat.
“As a result, I anticipate that the club will play a significant role in enlightening young people in the Northern Region about the impacts of climate change and motivating them to take action to lessen those effects.”
The GASIP National Programme Coordinator, Mr. Klutse Kudomor, in a presentation on his behalf said GASIP determined to help meet Sustainable Development Goals 13 and Ghana’s socioeconomic development is being aided.
He therefore encouraged the school children to be ambassadors of the environment, asserting this is because their future is anchored on good environment where pollution is avoided and food security is assured.
