Good Tidings from Warsaw

By Godwin Haruna

The United Nations Climate Change Conference that ended in Warsaw penultimate Saturdayhas kept governments on track towards a universal climate agreement in 2015 that includes significant new decisions that will cut emissions from deforestation, Godwin Haruna writes

For slightly over two weeks, the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland was filled with negotiators from governments, corporations, civil society groups and other interested stakeholders for a world devoid of pollution. After walkouts and trade-offs, Warsaw set a pathway for governments to work on a draft text of a new universal climate agreement for other conferences to build upon in future.

VIDEO: Civil Society walk out from COP 19

Click here

Civil Society Walkout Births Breakthrough Agreements In Warsaw

In a face-saving measure to mitigate the effect of yesterday’s walkout by civil society organisations, Governments at the UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw on Friday agreed to a set of decisions on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and the degradation of forests. The agreement on the so-called REDD+ initiative is backed by pledges of 280 million dollars in financing from the US, Norway and the UK.

Africa Leads the World out of Warsaw Talks

By Atayi Babs

HISTORIC: Civil Society Organisations walk out of the COP 19

Negotiations at the ongoing climate talks in Warsaw took a dramatic turn today as over 800 delegates representing different civil society organisations staged a historic walkout at the conference. The delegates under the umbrella of an amalgam of civil society organisations from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas led by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Greenpeace International, Oxfam, WWF, and ActionAid. Others include the International Trade Union Confederation, Friends of the Earth Europe and 350.org.

La question du cyclone somalienne est évoquée à Varsovie

Par Diane Nininahazwe

 Les négociateurs à la conférence sur le climat en cours à Varsovie, en Pologne ne devraient pas prendre à la légère la question du cyclone  tropical qui a fait ravage en somalie la semaine dernière. L’avis  de la société civile présente à Varsovie qui  s et exprimée ce vendredi sous l’égide de l’alliance pan africaine pour la justice climatique ( PACJA ) 

SOMALIA MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN, GROUP URGES NEGOTIATORS

By Atayi Babs

Negotiators at the ongoing Climate conference in Warsaw, Poland have been urged not to relegate the severity of the tropical cyclone that killed over 100 people in Somalia last week. Leaders of African civil society organisations under the umbrella of Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) made this declaration today as the climate conference enters its final week.

Civil society organizations march amidst gloomy negotiation picture at Warsaw.

By Elias NtungweNgalame

Over 3000 delegates from civil society organizations across the globe at the WARSAW climate conference staged a more than three hours street march amidstwhat observers have described as a gloomy picture of ongoing negotiations since last week. The civil society actors said they were expressing their frustration against the low commitment to implementation on the part of polluter-countries and evidence of another futile and fruitless negotiation exercise in Warsaw.

AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONDEMNS JAPAN’S NEW 2020 TARGET

By Atayi Babs

The coalition of African civil society organisations participating at the ongoing Warsaw Climate talks under the aegis of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has issued a strong condemnation of Japan’s goalpost-shifting tactics.

Japan announced its new 2020 emissions reduction target at the UN climate negotiations in Poland. While parties are negotiating to raise the level of ambition during this year’s meeting, Japan has now abandoned their 25% reduction target from 1990, and proposed 3.1% increase compared to 1990 levels.

AUDIO: Civil Society Protest in Warsaw

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Des centaines de personnes ont descendues dans les rues de Varsovie en Pologne l’après-midi de ce samedi  pour réclamer la justice climatique. Clamant « Climate justice now »,ou encore  « polutters must pay» ,ces manifestants ont fait un trajet équivalent a 6km et se disent ne pas être prêt à renoncer le combat climatique .Parmi les plus grand manifestants,figuraient les membres de l'alliance pan africaine pour la justice climatique PACJA..Reportage de Diane NININAHAZWE

For a meaningful progress, African Ministers must sit down and negotiate at COP 19

By Isaiah Esipisu

African Civil Society handing over their demands to negotiators

As the negotiations at the highest decision making authority on how to tackle climate change enters the critical political stage, the outgoing chair of the African group of negotiators has warned if African ministers do not remain vigilant, decisions will be taken without their inputs.

“We have already done our technical part in the negotiations, and we are already advising the ministers accordingly. But if they do not sit in to ensure that the African demands are adhered to, then decisions will be made, and they will be binding to their countries whether they like it or not,” said Dlamini Emmanuel, the outgoing chair of the African team.

The Ministers of Environment from all the parties (countries) will join the negotiators as from Nov 18 to Nov 22 to take decisions and agree on particular issues following the one week long negotiations that begun on Nov 11, 2013 in Warsaw, Poland.

COP 19: Negotiators Laud African Civil Society Group

Warsaw: 15/11/13

The contributions of African civil society organisations to the consolidation of the African position at the ongoing Climate talks in Warsaw have been described as “integral and far-reaching”. The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), Dlamini Emmanuel, expressed his appreciation of the activities of the CSOs at meeting with the coalition of African civil societies led by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).

Les organisations de la société civile présentent leurs revendications au président du Groupe africain des négociateurs.

Par Diane NININAHAZWE

Alors que les négociations lors de la 19e session de la Conférence des Parties ( COP19 ) sont à leurs cinquième jour, les organisations de la société civile africaine sous l'égide de Pan AfricanClimate Justice Alliance ( PACJA ) ont remis leur proposition au président du Groupe des négociateurs africains

S'exprimant lors de la remise  de ces propositions, le président Dlamini Emmanuel a rassuré la société civile que même  si le processus de négociation est un processus lent , il espère qu'il y aura une solution d'ici la fin de la journée.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate release

AfricansCivil Society Organizations  handover their demands to the Chair of African Group of Negotiators.

As the negotiations at the 19^th session of the Conference of Parties (COP19) under the United Nation Framework Convection on Climate Change entered the fifth day, the African Civil Society Organisations under the umbrella of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) have handed over their position to the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN). 

Speaking during the handover at the Warsaw National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, the Chair – AGN MrDlamini Emmanuel assured the civil society that though the negotiation process is a slow and gradual process, he is hopeful that there will be a solution by the end of the day.

Varsovie n’épargne pas les difficultés liées à l’agriculture et les migrations climatiques

Diane Nininahazwe

 L’Alliance pan Africaine pour la justice climatique,PACJAcontinue  à multiplier différents  événements parallèles à la COP 19 qui se tienne  à Varsovie , en Pologne, rejoignant ainsi d'autres organisations de la société civile d'Amérique du Sud et l'Inde pour mettre en évidence la situation des impacts du changement climatique dans leurs différentes communautés .

Africans seek clarity on climate finance at Warsaw talks

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

WARSAW (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - African negotiators and climate activists have called on wealthy nations at U.N. climate talks in Warsaw to say how they will boost funding for African and other developing states to adapt to climate change and pursue green growth.

“African governments need access to climate funds. These funds are needed for climate adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, capacity building and forest conservation,” Joseph  Armathe Amougou, head of the Cameroon delegation at the climate conference, told Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Most of the money promised is still to be made available by donors and we think Warsaw is the place for a decision to be taken.’’

PRESS STATEMENT

Warsaw talks: Amidst Frustration, African Team Mulls Pull-out

 

Warsaw: 14/11/13: In the face of low commitment to implementation on the part of polluter-countries, the African team at the ongoing climate talks comprising key continental negotiators and civil society organisations has hinted at the possibility of staging a walkout.

Civil Society denied Visa to COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland - Augustine B Njamnshi

(AUDIO) CLICK Here to listen to Augustine

Same Bed, Different Dreams as Climate Change Tightens Grip.

Peter Labeja  in Kampala

The Uganda government is highly concerned about the prevailing food security situation in the country as effects of Climate Change take toll on Agriculture and Trade.

 

This as the country’s delegation gathers in Warsaw Poland for the annual discussions on Climate Change. It says there is increased water logging challenges in flat plains that often result into flooding.

PRESS RELEASE

African CSOs Demand Protection and Resettlement of Forced Climate Migrants

 

A call for a comprehensive legal framework for the protection and assistance of people displaced by climate change has been made. The Coalition of African Civil Society Organisations led by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) made this call during a side event it organised with EquityBD at the ongoing 19th session of the UN Warsaw Climate Conference.

Le réchauffement de l’Afrique pourrait augmenter de 5 degré Celsius d’ici la fin du siècle si on croit aux experts réunis à Varsovie pour le COP 19

Diane Nininahazwe

Les pays présents à Varsovie sont unanime, la planète se réchauffe :Cinq degrés d’augmentation de la température terrestre d’ici la fin du siècle, 80 centimètres d’élévation des eaux…Aucun continent n’est certes jusqu’ ici épargné mais l’Afrique dit avoir déjà commencé  à subir particulièrement  les impacts dévastateurs  de ce réchauffement et  des changements climatiques qui se traduisent par des inondations ,de  la sècheresse  et autres évènements  extrêmes de plus en plus nombreux qui frappent des population déjà pauvres et renforce leurs vulnérabilités.

Augustine B Njamnshi comment after a Meeting with Africa Lead Negotiator -Finance and the chair for climate finance

to Listen - CLICK HERE

Mithika Mwenda - Right hands over the Civil Society position document to African negotiators at COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland

High Expectations at UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame in Warsaw

  The UN Climate change conference began on Monday November 11, 2013 with calls for governments to harness the strong groundswell of action on climate change across all levels including, business and society and make real progress here towards a successful, global climate change agreement in 2015.

Sam Ogallah of Pacja talks about the possition of CSOs at COP 19

Click here to listen to Sam

Sam Ogallah of PACJA speaking at a side event at COP 19

The impact of Climate Change on Africa;

CLick here to listen to the clip

Poor African farmers are suffering the brunt climate change

PRESS RELEASE

Finance, emissions budget and loss and damage Key demands of African Civil Society Warsaw, Poland - TODAY - Civil society groups across Africa demanded that developed countries fulfil and implement their commitments under the UN climate convention, in order to fairly share a necessary 'emissions budget', and avoid catastrophic climate change.   At a press conference held immediately after the opening session of the 19th session of the UN Warsaw Climate Conference, the group said that Africa is in the frontline for climate change impacts.

(AUDIO)-Civil Society organisations point out their expectations at COP 19 in Warsaw

To listen to the Audio, Click here

A representative of the African civil society groups (Mithika Mwenda) speaks out at the UNFCCC COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland.

Civil Society members protesting at Warsaw Cop 19

AFRICAN CSOs DEMAND FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENTS

Civil society groups across Africa demanded that developed countries fulfil and implement their commitments under the UN climate convention, in order to fairly share a necessary 'emissions budget', and avoid catastrophic climate change.

PRESS RELEASE

Finance, emissions budget and loss and damage Key demands of African Civil Society

Warsaw, Poland - TODAY - Civil society groups across Africa demanded that developed countries fulfil and implement their commitments under the UN climate convention, in order to fairly share a necessary 'emissions budget', and avoid catastrophic climate change. At a press conference held immediately after the opening session of the 19th session of the UN Warsaw Climate Conference, the group said that Africa is in the frontline for climate change impacts.

Using Energy saving stoves to conserve the environment

By Paschal Bagonza - Uganda

Click here to listen to the radio article by Paschal Bagonza

Ghana’s Cocoa-Eco Project to receive support from IITA

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has expressed interest in supporting interventions to address the impact of climate variability and climate change on Ghana’s cocoa production.

The Institute would partner with SNV Ghana to support cocoa farmers in how they can “best find a balance between intensification, adaptation and mitigation and identify short-and long-term risks and benefits” under the Cocoa-Eco Project, that SNV and the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union are implementing.

Mithika Mwenda of PACJA giving the Civil Society position at the upcoming COP19

Click here to listen to the voice

Press release

21 October 2013

AFRICA CAN LEAD!

Civil Society Call for Urgent Ambitious Action on Climate Change

Civil society representatives from across the African continent urged Governments to take ambitious action against climate change. These were some of the recommendations during a Climate Justice Dialogue: shaping an equitable climate change agreement responsive to Africa ahead of the Third Climate Change and Development in Africa Conference (CCDA III) which runs between October 21 – 23 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Dialogue, which was also attended by former Heads of State, was organized by Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in partnership with Mary Robinson Foundation – climate Justice and World Resources Institute.

Participants, drawn from 23 African countries from diverse sectors such environment, indigenous peoples, small-holder farmers, women, youth and faith based groups came together to discuss climate justice narratives and to build alliances to propose strategies for African leaders and governments to get a fair deal for Africa at the international climate negotiations.

“IT IS TIME FOR ACTION”, MOGAE CHALLENGES AFRICAN LEADERS

BY FRIDAY PHIRI IN ETHIOPIA

With the impact of climate change affecting negatively, most African countries, former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae has observed with concern the lack of clear and concerted efforts by African leaders to change the picture.

Speaking during a Pre- Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa-CCDA III Climate Justice Dialogue in Addis Ababa today, Mr. Mogae said while African leaders have been involved at various levels of the climate change dialogue, there is little that they are doing to respond to adverse conditions caused by climate change.

Press release

Root justice and equity in climate change dialogues, Governments urged

For immediate release

Addis Ababa 20:10:2013

Governments across the world have been urged to make justice and equity integral components of international dialogue on climate change. At a civil society workshop organized ahead of the third Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-III) in Addis Ababa, participants called for the broadening of the conversation on climate justice beyond science and environment, and reaffirmed the role of local people’s participation in efforts to address climate change.

https://audioboo.fm/search/boos?q=Mwenda

The Civil Society Meets in Addis Ababa ahead of the CCDAIII

Mithika Mwenda, Mrs Mary Robinson and Hon. Dr Abdalla Hamdok at a workshop in Addis Ababa ahead of the CCDAIII Conference
Photo by Isaiah Esipisu

The leaders are calling for change of the climate change narrative so that it is focuses on human rights, women and the entire society instead of revolving it around abstract scientific issues.

They want the world to speak with a common voice to avert the challenge of climate change.

BIO GAS: Reaping the Double Dividends

Aaron kaah  yancho

K24 NEWS PAPER

Bamenda /Cameroon.

Grass field of Cameroon:  For decades making good use of the earth’s natural resources for the improvement of their livelihoods was the challenging task faced by farm families in the grass field of Cameroon. The rapid population growth in rural communities saw an encroachment into forest land for the cultivation of food crops.

Unknowingly what the consequences will bring the disappearance of the forest attracted  desertification and soil erosion. “It was just a matter of time as these peasant farmers started experiencing droughts” 

As insects disappear, so do Kenya's traditional forecasts

By Caleb Kemboi

UASIN GISHU, Kenya (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – For decades, indigenous farmers living in Kenya’s Rift Valley have predicted the weather by observing the behaviour of insects.

Such traditional knowledge guided their decisions about when to prepare land for planting, as well as what kinds of crops to sow.


“When safari ants cross the road carrying all types of food in one line to (their) hole, this foretells the rainy season ... and we start tilling our land ready for planting,” said Philip Barno, an elder of the Kalenjin community. “During dry spells ants (come) into houses searching for food and humidity.”

Press Statement:-

Save the planet and the African people, African Civil Society urges African Governments

For Immediate Release

Gaborone 15-10-2013: 

African civil society has urged governments to increase pressure on rich countries to honour their pledges in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and providing adequate finance to save planet and humanity. A communiqué  by 80 civil society representatives from 35 African countries, meeting in Botswana’s capital Gaborone, commended African leaders for their continued unity in approaching international climate change and related processes, but decried the neglect of the sector  in national planning. 

Media Alert:-

AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE TO THE FIFTH AMCEN SPECIAL SESSION, GABORONE, BOTSWANA – OCTOBER 2013

We, the representatives of African Civil Society Organizations and Networks under the auspices of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance met in Gaborone, Botswana, on October 12-14, 2013 for the Pre-AMCEN African Civil Society Consultative Workshop, ahead of the 5^th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). The Workshop also served as the UNEP Regional Consultative Meeting with Major Groups and Stakeholders in the Africa Region (MGSF) in preparation for the Global Ministerial Environment Forum and 15^thSession of the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum scheduled to take place in 2014.

Climate Change: Hard Choices Poor People Must Make.

Aaron kaah Yancho

Kaaron1976@gmail.com.

K24newspaper/bamenda/Cameroon.

           While people in many parts of the world are thinking ahead how to adapt to the climate changes, it’s impact are already  overwhelmingly being felt in  Africa.  The situation at the Lake Chad River Basin and the Far North Regions of Cameroon present a classic challenge posed by climate changes as more than 42 million people had lost their livelihoods over the last twenty years. Rainfall had unbelievably dropped between 29 percent and 49 percent between 1968 and 1997, according to the International Panel on Climate     change. The resulting effects was the drastic decline in food crop production.          

Ghanaian researchers develop strategies to conserve forest resources

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

 A five-point strategy has been developed to support local communities in Ghana to conserve forests, mitigate climate change and sustain livelihoods.

The strategies include fire prevention and control, establishment of plantations, agro-forestry, education and awareness creation, and provision of sustainable livelihood support systems.

Stå fast vid löftet från klimatmötet!

Klimatförändringarna skördar redan offer. Värst drabbas världens fattigaste. Ändå bryter Sverige mot internationella löften och struntar i att skjuta till pengar till klimatarbete i utvecklingsländer.

Relaterat

Mithika Mwenda Bo Forsberg

Temperaturen på jorden har redan stigit med nästan en hel grad. Att det är vi människor som är skyldiga till klimatförändringarna är världens forskare allt säkrare på, det framgår tydligt när FN:s klimatpanel, IPCC, nu samlats i Stockholm.

För människor som lever i fattigdom är konsekvenserna hårdast. När matproduktion och vattentillgång minskar, folkhälsan försvagas och människors vardagsliv dramatiskt påverkas, försvåras inte bara FN:s arbete för fattigdomsbekämpning – de framsteg som hittills gjorts riskerar att utraderas.

Uppvärmningen leder till oförutsägbara årstider, riskfyllt jordbruk och opålitlig tillgång till dricksvatten. Stormar och stigande havsnivåer hotar öar och kustområden. Att överleva sådana förhållanden blir allt svårare.

Driving green in Ghana to mitigate pollution and climate change

Vehicular emissions are becoming alarming in cities of developing economies like Ghana, where an average of 150,000 vehicles are registered annually, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Some of these cars are new from the factory, but the majority is marketed fairly used or damaged in their countries of origin, mostly from the European or American economies.

Regeringen smiter från klimatnotan

Mithika Mwenda

Klimatförändringarna skördar redan offer. Värst drabbas världens fattigaste. Ändå bryter Sverige mot internationella löften och struntar i att skjuta till pengar till klimatarbete i utvecklingsländer.

Temperaturen på jorden har redan stigit med nästan en hel grad. Att det är vi människor som är skyldiga till klimatförändringarna är världens forskare allt säkrare på, det framgår tydligt när FN:s klimatpanel, IPCC, nu samlats i Stockholm.

För människor som lever i fattigdom är konsekvenserna hårdast. När matproduktion och vattentillgång minskar, folkhälsan försvagas och människors vardagsliv dramatiskt påverkas, försvåras inte bara FN:s arbete för fattigdomsbekämpning – de framsteg som hittills gjorts riskerar att utraderas.

NGO Plants 30.000 Trees on Mount Cameroon

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

 

A local NGO in the Southwest region of Cameroon has taken the bull by the horn to fight increasing deforestation and the effects of climate change in the country.

Ghanaian cocoa farmers exposed to climate-smart production

 By Kofi Adu Domfeh

ACCRA, Ghana (Luv News) - Cocoa farmers in selected production districts in Ghana are accessing support in natural resource management for efficient and sustainable cocoa production.

The ‘Cocoa Eco Project’ is a pilot intervention aimed at limiting the encroachment of cocoa plantations onto forest lands and conservation of biodiversity.

SNV Ghana is partnering the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union to create environmental awareness among cocoa farmers, especially on issues of land degradation and deforestation.

New endangered Monkey species discovered in Cameroon forest

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame
 

A team of Researchers working in Cameroon have spotted another rare wildlife species the Preuss's Monkey (Cercopithecus preussi), in the Tofala forest, Lebialem Highlands. This was on August 18, 2013 during bio-montoring of great apes trip with two Volunteers Christopher and Claire from United kingdom and France respectively.

Ghana considers establishing Climate Innovation Center

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Innovation in new technologies will be essential to reduce the long-term cost of climate change and to support competitiveness in Ghana, according to the World Bank.

The Bank’s infoDev program is considering a climate innovation hub in Ghana to accelerate locally-relevant clean technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

More than 100 stakeholders have met under the auspices of the World Bank in Accra to study the establishment of the Climate Innovation Center (CIC).

Building green affordable houses in Ghana

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Expensive concrete and glass houses are in vogue in major cities in Ghana, but the increasing housing deficit calls for innovations to build green and cheap.

Housing, the single largest subsector of the construction industry, is a major contributor to environmental pollution. With the high levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the sector contributes to climate change.

“Ghana has the potential to build environmentally sound houses”, according to Dr. Eugene Atiamo, Director of the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Food Waste Harms Climate, Water, Land And Biodiversity – New FAO Report

Direct Economic Costs of $750 billion Annually  

 Better Policies Required, and “Success Stories” Need to be Scaled Up and Replicated

Rome, 11 September 2013 – The waste of a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year is not only causing major economic losses but also wreaking significant harm on the natural resources that humanity relies upon to feed itself, says a new FAO report released today.

Food Wastage Footprint: Impacts on Natural Resources is the first study to analyze the impacts of global food wastage from an environmental perspective, looking specifically at its consequences for the climate, water and land use, and biodiversity.

Lome Convention devises climate, post-2015 MDGs agenda

Recently, representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) from West African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mauritania converged on Lome, Togo for the West Africa Regional civil society capacity building workshop on Climate Change and Post 2015 MDGs Sustainable Development Agenda organised by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), in collaboration with the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA). The forum had “Climate Change and Post 2015 MDGs Sustainable Development Agenda” as its theme.

MEND to Chevron - Stop Oil Production By October or Face Our Wrath

Nigeria

The dreaded militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has given Nigeria's second largest oil producing company, Chevron Nigeria Limited till October 1, 2013 to evacuate the Escravos Terminal and Tank Farm or face imminent attack.

Nigeria: Working Against Flood Disaster

The unprecedented flood disaster in the nation's history last year has brought in its wake some good omen. The National Disaster Recovery Strategy/Framework is a policy measure being put together to withstand future emergencies with the support of the UNDP.

PACJA Finally Berths in Tog With National Civil Society Platform

The Official launching ceremony for the establishment of the Togo National Chapter of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) was held on Thursday, August 29, 2013, at Catholic Archdiocese of Lome, in the OCDI Conference room, Tokoin Séminaire.

Working against Flood Disaster

The unprecedented flood disaster in the nation’s history last year has brought in its wake some good omen. The National Disaster Recovery Strategy/Framework is a policy measure being put together to withstand future emergencies with the support of the UNDP. Godwin Haruna writes

CSOs want climate justice prioritized under Post-2015 Development Agenda

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Climate justice and sustainable management of the planet’s resources must be at the centre of the Post-2015 sustainable development framework, according to a declaration by the West African civil society organizations on climate change.

Developed countries are also being held to continue to commit and deliver on providing financial and technological resources to address mitigation and adaptation challenges in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Clay promoted as climate-conscious construction material

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Ghana can preserve its limestone deposits by depending on the abundance of clay to serve the country’s construction needs, says Engineer Mark Bediako.

The research scientist foresees dependence on clay as an industrial mineral resource in the near future.

Limestone is a major ingredient in the production of cement, which is a critical component in Ghana’s building and construction industry.

Tanzania adopts irrigation law to fight climate change

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM  - In a bid to protect Tanzania’s agricultural sector from the vagaries of extreme weather and climate change, the country’s parliament has passed a new law to help farmers make better use of irrigation, hoping it will improve food security and reduce poverty.

The National Irrigation Act 2013 was approved at the end of August amid strong criticism from a cross-section of legislators who expressed fears that the proposed law might fuel land conflicts because it would allow the state to acquire village land without due process.

The law – which must be signed by the president before it comes into force  - gives power to the minister holding the agriculture portfolio to declare any specified piece of land an irrigation area.  

Young Journalist from the developing world Award

Are you a young African journalist below 30 years of age?

Here is an opportunity for you.

A new award - "young journalist from the developing world" - is being sponsored by the Thomson Foundation for the UK Foreign Press Association (FPA) Awards. 

Cameroon, Nigeria cooperate on flood prevention plan

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

YAOUNDE (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As this year’s rainy season gathers momentum, authorities in Cameroon and Nigeria fear a repeat of the 2012 crisis when waterways burst their banks and devastated entire villages, killing some 180 people across the north of both countries.

As a result of last year’s disaster, the two West African nations have resolved to cooperate on building new flood-control structures, sharing weather information and relocating people from flood-prone areas in an effort to avoid further losses.

Radio helps Tanzania farmers fight climate change

By Kizito Makoye

 As thousands of farmers in northeastern Tanzania grapple with long spells of dry weather and erratic rainfall, a Canadian charity has collaborated with local partners on a radio programme to help onion and rice growers adapt to the effects of climate change.

Farm Radio International and private radio station MoshiFM started the programme, tailored to help farmers in remote Ruvu village and the surrounding areas of Same district find ways to maintain their harvests as well as seeking better markets for their produce.

Launched last year, Heka-Heka Vijijini (which means “upbeat mood in the village” in Kiswahili) airs twice a week for one hour, teaching farmers to embrace crop diversification and irrigation to boost soil fertility.