The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Gh), has held a Town Hall meeting to deliberate on issues of climate change, and how the youth can play a major role in the issues of climate resilience in the Northern Region.
The Town Hall meeting, which brought together youth groups and major stakeholders, also pushed for clearly spelt out linkages to be made among climate change, democracy and civic responsibilities, especially, of the youth.
The meeting is part of activities under the project “Building Bridges: Empowering Youth as Green Champions for Climate Resilience in Northern Region “.
Various youth groups were represented at the town hall meeting, including members of the Tamale Offline Hangout, leadership of the UDS Central SRC and some students and leadership of the Northern Regional Youth Parliament.
Also present were representatives from the Red Cross Society of Ghana and members of the public.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director for SWIDA-Ghana, Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed called on all youth groups present to take the fight on climate change beyond the meeting and put in action to help reduce the effects of climate change on the environment and human activities, including agriculture.
Explaining the main objective of the project, Hajia Alima urged the youth leaders and members to take on leadership by driving the course of governance, holding leadership accountable and ensuring their voices are heard in governance.
“Politicians will tell you what they think you want to hear but let them know what you want to be included in their manifestos. Ask what their interpretation of the SDG 13 is and what are their strategies and plans to see them happen. What change are you bringing with regards to this very crucial and urgent matter of Climate Change?” she said.
Chairperson of the meeting and former Northern Regional Director of Education, Alhaji Haroon Cambodia said the effects of climate change on the weather are alarming and directly affecting even the human body, therefore, all must be included in ensuring the resilience fight is won.
“In all my years in the Northern Region, never have we ever recorded such heat waves; it is unprecedented and we need to be intentional about combating climate change. Once you know the problem and the solution, do something about it”, he said.
The Chief Whip for the Northern Youth Parliament, Abdul Razak in a presentation urged participants to engage in steps towards adaptation to the scourge of climate change, by reducing carbon emissions, advocating for sustainable policies and participating in community efforts aimed at the adaptation drive.
Founder of Girls to Women, Hajia Mariam Iddrisu reassured hope for winning the fight, if all are to play their roles by contributing efforts no matter how small, as SWIDA-Ghana has paved the way with the Town Hall meeting and other activities.
Administrator for the University for Development Studies, Mr. Alhassan Ziblim said climate change is with the environment, therefore, something must be done about it, as he expressed joy to see the youth is taking up the fight and leading.
Two debate motions were set for the day;
- Is the Ghanaian Government doing anything to combat climate change issues or is simply doing politics with it by making policies without implementation strategies? and
- Are Ghanaians doing enough against climate change?
At the end of the meeting, it was established through the debate teams that the issue of climate change is a serious one and all hands must be on deck to reduce its negative impact on the environment.
It was also clear that governments have not done enough to reduce the negative impact of climate change, therefore, citizens must rise up and seek accountability from leaders, to push them to invest more and push more policies aimed at minimizing the impact.
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