Climate Change And Poverty: A Focus On Ghana

In recent times, climate change has gained much prominence in policy and development discussions. The risks and adverse effects associated with it are innumerable. By virtue of the inextricable interdependence of regions/countries, what affects the climate in the Alaskan tundra region, Birmingham, Chuchiliga or Damascus affects the whole planet.

In other words, regardless of their geographical location, the actions and inactions of regions/countries wreak humongous havoc on other ones. As a result of global warming, temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, precipitation patterns are changing rapidly and sea levels are rising drastically. These result in noxious effects in countries all over the world.

The most devastating aspect of it, as revealed by the United Nations, is that developing countries feel the full brunt of such adversities, given that they are beset by excruciatingly weak infrastructural facilities. That should serve as a clarion call for such countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, to contribute immensely towards reduction in global warming.

Therefore, it would be dishearteningly irrational for a sub-Saharan African country to contribute in warming the globe. Research indicates that the wanton exploitation of our natural resources contributes to climate change. Hence, it is pitifully awful that Ghana has allowed some fulani herdsmen to clear portions of the Pikaro Forest Reserve, putting up structures of abode for themselves and their cattle, culminating in the destruction of water resources in the northern part of the country (See: "Fulani herdsmen destroy Pikaro Forest Reserve", GNA, 29th October, 2014). The adverse effects will not be confined to only the affected areas. They will be felt everywhere in the country (and indeed, all over the world), on the wings of the interdependent nature of the regions of this country (and of course, the countries of planet earth).

Increasing tendencies of warming have the proclivity of precipitating pervasive and irreversible impacts in the north, and of course, the whole country. Yet, Ghana is acting as if it is insulated from the pernicious effects of climate change. As a developing country, we cannot afford to be passive by-standers in a region threatened by the irresponsible activities of some herdsmen motivated by selfish pursuits. The fact that the herdsmen are known to have lived in the area for the past three years, as confirmed by the Assemblyman for the Pindaa electoral area, presupposes that their presence is known to some governmental representatives and institutions, raising questions as to why they are still permitted to deplete and mutilate the natural resources of the area. This means that, despite the growing acknowledgement of climate change in the country, there is still the urgent need to educate our politicians, government representatives, and so on, on the risks and dangers such nefarious activities pose to our environment.

It is no secret that major impacts associated with climate change are expected in both the short-term and long-term, on agricultural productivity, food (in)security, water availability and supply, and so on. More importantly, these are expected to impact disproportionately on the well-being of those living in abject penury in rural settings, namely households with limited access to agricultural lands, households of single parents, female-headed households, households involved in the use of primitive farming equipment and those involved in archaic methods of farming. This means that stringent measures are needed to protect agricultural regions from being subjected to conditions that would aggravate such impacts. Therefore, what is extremely baffling is why Ghana has allowed its relatively poor northern part, noted for its enviably high-level of agricultural production, to be subjected to such environmental mutilation. Such a situation will only aggravate the predicament of the poor people involved in agriculture in the north.

Specifically, the herdsmen's crass exploitation and destruction of our land and water resources in the Pikaro Forest Reserve can have far-reaching repercussions on poverty levels. Unreliable or low rainfall is already known to be one of the "enemies" of agriculture in the northern part of Ghana. The depletion of the flora in the reserve will reduce evapo-transpiration which will in turn reduce rainfall drastically, aggravating the rainfall predicament of the area. This will negatively affect the volume and flow of streams and rivers. This means that irrigation in the area will not be possible. Again, high temperatures will be experienced. This will undoubtedly reduce humidity which can result in drought. This will not auger well for animals reared in the area. All these imply low agricultural yield. Thus, the activities of these herdsmen can create and aggravate poverty in the area. In addition to the scourge of poverty, such low levels of rainfall and high temperatures can spread to other parts of the country (and indeed, other countries).

The above means that poverty reduction strategies undertaken by the government of Ghana and NGOs will be undermined. For instance, credit facilities are given to people on a daily basis with a benign aim of curbing poverty, with many venturing into agriculture and the sale of agricultural products. A female beneficiary of credit facilities in Kintampo who gets seedlings for her farming activities from the north can no longer get them as a result of (the noxious effects of) climate change. A man travels from Accra to Chuchiliga or any other settlement in the north to purchase millet or cattle for sale in an attempt to curb poverty. He gets there and due to such adverse effects (of climate change), he goes back home empty-handed. What can be said about these two scenarios? Dead livelihoods! Thus, the scourge of poverty will not be confined to only the north but will be felt throughout the country.

This raises a kaleidoscope of questions. Why have we turned a blind eye to the activities of these herdsmen? Are we safe? Are we refusing to think? Are our leaders so engrossed in politics that they have forgotten the need to protect our environment? Are our politicians only good at working diligently and cynically towards clinging on to power? Are they only good at allowing "in the next elections" and "in the 2016 elections" to wriggle through their lips, at the expense of the well-being of the inhabitants of this country? Have they forgotten that environmental issues are inextricably connected to the development of a country? That is not to say that saving our environment from such unscrupulous people is an exclusive responsibility of our leaders or the government. Non-leaders also have a responsibility towards saving our environment. So why do we have to fold our arms and watch, as our environment gets mutilated by some selfish men? Is it possible for the leaders of this country to do everything for us? Will they succeed without the help of the followers? Has it become a crime for the followers of this country to exert pressure on the leaders to protect our environment?

It has to be emphasised that the noxious effects associated with climate change can be reduced drastically. We need to, first and foremost, educate ourselves on climate change and deepen our knowledge on how interdependent the world has become. Moreover, leaders and followers of this country have to get involved and work assiduously towards saving our environment as what affects one region affects the entire nation (and the world at large).

More specifically, on the part of our leaders, the recognition that saving the environment is as important as visiting every part of the country, indulging in politicking, is the beginning of good-governance, and must inform their actions. After all, there will be no one to lead if we all die of climate-change-induced poverty and adversities. Therefore, their attention should not be skewed towards politics at the expense of other significant issues. And on the part of the followers, we need to refrain from expecting our leaders to do everything for us; they cannot be everywhere at the same time. Nowadays, we tend to get enigmatically and shamefully fascinated with politics - how our political parties can stay in power, or come to power; how our MPs can maintain their seats, making unnecessary noise due to joblessness in one FM station or the other, etcetera - neglecting the responsibility of working around the clock to protect our environment and contribute enormously in reducing the adverse effects of climate change.

All the above demonstrate that reducing the noxious effects of climate change requires concerted effort from all and sundry. That is the only way we can enhance well-being (or development, if you like) in this avuncular nation.

Kwabena Aboagye-Gyan
([email protected])