A four-day inception workshop for the Addressing Climate Vulnerability through Nature-Based Solution Using Transdisciplinary Engagement of Wetland Communities (AV-STEC) Project, has been held in Tamale to officially commence project activities and foster collaboration among international partners.
The project seeks to tackle the impact of climate change, particularly flooding caused by the Bagre Dam spillage in Burkina Faso, on communities in Ghana’s Upper East, North East and Savannah Regions, as well as parts of Burkina Faso (within the enclave of Bagre Dam).
It is part of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) initiative, a UK-Canada framework research programme which aims to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards in Africa and the Asia Pacific Region.
The workshop was organised by the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR), the project’s lead institution, and brought together project partners from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Canada and the United States of America.
The other project partners present at the workshop were, York University, and Start International, Naturama (Burkina Faso).
The workshop aimed to provide updates on progress, finalise community selection in Ghana, align/standardise research methods across countries, and map out the next phase of project activities.
A session led by Professor John Mensah from York University reviewed survey instruments, incorporating feedback to align with project goals and logistical considerations.
Participants also visited selected communities affected by flooding during the Bagre Dam spillage including Yipala, Nungu, Karimenga, and Sariba.
The visits aimed to assess flood impacts, community vulnerability, and logistical feasibility for project activities.
Field observations and gender-segregated focus group discussions adopted, highlighted key challenges and perspectives, especially among women.
The workshop ended with a strong commitment to collaboration and timely execution, of assignments with a follow-up transboundary meeting expected to take place in Bolgatanga (Ghana) or Burkina Faso.
GNA
