Rikolto Ghana leads over 200 residents in climate change advocacy march in Asankragwa

More than 200 residents, including farmers, have marched through Asankragwa in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region to raise awareness of climate change and its growing impact on farming communities.

The march, led by Rikolto Ghana under its Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change and Advocacy Project (CCAM), brought together participants from 10 project communities, as well as youth and women’s groups, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and government institutions.

Representatives of the Forestry Commission and the district’s Agriculture Directorate also took part.

Participants walked through the principal streets of Asankragwa carrying placards highlighting the effects of climate change, including biodiversity loss, declining agricultural productivity, irregular rainfall, flooding and drought.

They called for increased investment in forest restoration, sustainable cocoa production, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture and alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on natural resources.

The march also drew attention to the links between illegal mining, environmental degradation and climate vulnerability.

Participants called for stronger forest protection and more responsible management of natural resources to safeguard the environment and the livelihoods of farming communities.

The advocacy comes as farmers contend with changing weather patterns and environmental pressures that threaten agricultural production and household incomes.

Under the CCAM project, Rikolto Ghana is working to strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate shocks through community-driven interventions, income diversification and improved local governance for climate adaptation.

Project Officer of Rikolto Ghana, Jonathan Owusu, said the advocacy was designed to promote environmental sustainability while improving the livelihoods of local communities.

He said the initiative also seeks to encourage sustainable farming practices and support farmer organisations to develop more resilient livelihoods, particularly in cocoa-growing communities.

"As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration, the march was followed by a stakeholder engagement session to showcase ongoing climate adaptation interventions and discuss additional support and partnership opportunities," he said.

The stakeholder engagement brought together participating groups and institutions to discuss ongoing interventions and explore areas for further collaboration.

The organisers expect the advocacy to strengthen community participation in climate adaptation planning and encourage greater investment in resilience-building interventions at the community and district levels.

The initiative also seeks to reinforce the role of residents, traditional authorities, local government institutions and other stakeholders in responding to environmental challenges affecting farming communities.