Tamale: A stakeholders’ training workshop on how to leverage an innovative digital platform to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development has been held in Tamale. The initiative, dubbed ‘Climate Risk and Vulnerability Information Portal’ (CRVIP), was tailored to enhancing effective decision-making on climate-related issues, especially at the local level.
According to Ghana News Agency, the training brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and officials from the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA). It was organized by the African Foundation for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (AFCCSD) and formed part of the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) initiative to provide the country with a holistic Adaptation Plan under the United Nations Environment Programme with funding support from the Green Climate Fund.
Participants included officials from TaMA’s Development Planning Unit, the Statistical and Agricultural Department, and EPA, among others. The objective was to equip them with the knowledge and skills to effectively use the climate portal in planning for climate adaptation across the Metropolis.
Dr. Franz Alex Gaisie Essilfie, a consultant on the project, explained during the training that the portal was geospatial in nature and provided a centralized platform for data visualization and prediction to support informed decision-making. He highlighted that the portal featured a dedicated server to ensure reliability, flexibility, and security, serving as a comprehensive hub for climate and risk data relevant to the Assembly.
The initiative is currently being piloted in three assemblies-Sefwi Bekwai, Sekondi-Takoradi, and Tamale. Dr. Steve Ampofo, Coordinating Consultant and Lecturer at CK Tedam University, emphasized that the training was tailored to help assemblies plan more effectively and respond to climate change issues for sustainable development. He noted that the portal allowed users to easily access climate information within the Metropolis, supporting both policy decisions and guiding critical investment choices.
Dr. Ampofo noted, “The impact of climate change is global, but it significantly affects the local communities, especially in agriculture and health. That is why this portal is being developed to enhance their resilience.” He added that disaster relief managers could also rely on the portal for planning interventions and programs at the local level, urging the Development Planning Unit of the Assembly to regularly update the portal to ensure the public accessed relevant data for effective planning.
Professor Samuel Jerry Cobbinah, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, described the initiative as a critical tool for promoting sustainable development and climate resilience. He stated it would play a key role in reducing the risk of climate-related losses and damages, especially in vulnerable communities, and would foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and enhanced climate risk awareness to improve community resilience.
Mr. Mohammed Salahudeen Salam, a participant, expressed appreciation to AFCCSD and its partners for the training and pledged to use the knowledge gained to support other vulnerable communities.