Nineteen Ghanaian scholars have graduated under the European Union’s (EU) Resilience Against Climate Change-Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) project, which aims to strengthen research and knowledge on climate resilience.
The graduation ceremony, held at the J.H.K. Nketia Conference Hall, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, on March 5 2025, was organised by the EU in Ghana in partnership with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
The graduates included four PhD and 15 master’s students, whose research explored social transformation, climate vulnerabilities, and development strategies in northwestern Ghana.
The Deputy Country Director of IWMI, Dr Birhanu Zemadim, described the graduation as the culmination of an intellectually rewarding journey.
He said the REACH-STR project had equipped social scientists with the knowledge and skills to address climate change, migration, and gender-related challenges in vulnerable communities.
This event, themed Building Capacity of the Next Generation for Climate Resilient Development, reflects the project’s mission of strengthening institutional capacity and supporting sustainable development in northwestern Ghana. The studies conducted by these graduates provide critical evidence to guide policies and climate-resilient interventions,” Dr Zemadim said.
Dr Zemadim also noted that the event provided an opportunity for dialogue. “We will explore how these findings can influence policies and development strategies, particularly in gender, migration, and climate resilience. This is just the beginning of a sustained effort to build a climate-resilient future,” he added.
The EU’s Head of Cooperation in Ghana, Mr Massimo Mina, said the project had generated research that could support climate-resilient interventions.
“The studies undertaken by these graduates provide valuable insights that can inform policies and development efforts, ensuring that climate strategies take into account the multiple ways climate vulnerabilities affect communities and livelihoods,” Mr Mina said.
Ahead of the graduation, the scholars met with the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Irchad Razaaly, to discuss their research. Mr Razaaly commended them, saying,
“Today we celebrate not just academic achievements but the birth of 19 champions for climate resilience. These leaders are now equipped to drive transformative change in Ghana and beyond.”
REACH-STR project and its objectives
The REACH-STR project is a six-year initiative funded with €2.3 million from the EU. It is being implemented in the Upper West and Savannah regions to generate knowledge on social transformation and its role in sustainable rural development, climate adaptation, and migration.
The project builds on discussions about social transformation in Ghana’s climate policies.
In 2022, Dr Charity Osei-Amponsah, a regional researcher with IWMI and the project coordinator, observed that policies on climate change, gender, and migration had not fully addressed social transformation. She argued that strategies to build climate resilience and address migration patterns had not been effective.
Findings from the REACH-STR project have since provided a broader perspective on migration, showing that it is not entirely negative.
“Migrants return with new agricultural techniques, which they introduce to their communities. They also bring innovative ideas, such as modern housing construction, which improves local infrastructure,” Dr Osei-Amponsah said.
She also pointed out that some social intervention projects have not been fully utilised. A solar-powered water project in the Wa Municipality, for instance, remains ineffective because it pumps water during the day when residents are away on their farms.
“Such projects must be designed with community needs in mind,” she said.
The project’s Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (STR) study examines the structural changes in economic and social relations that shape community resilience. These changes influence migration, gender dynamics, youth engagement, and overall adaptation to climate change,” she explained.
Climate challenges and adaptation strategies
Providing an overview of the REACH-STR project, Dr William Quarmine of IWMI said climate change poses serious risks to Ghana, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding, which could displace about 35,000 people annually.
“Flooding and waterborne diseases will continue to threaten many communities, while food insecurity could impact up to two million people. Agriculture, which is central to Ghana’s economy, may lose up to two per cent of its value. And with our energy sector heavily reliant on water resources, climate change could further complicate an already challenging electricity situation,” Dr Quarmine said.
He explained that the REACH-STR project falls under the broader Ghana-European Union Agricultural Programme, which includes agricultural development, infrastructure improvements, and resilience against climate change.
“Our research has covered four areas: gender, migration, climate resilience, and policy action,” Dr Quarmine said. “Studies were conducted in two regions—the Savannah and Upper West regions—covering districts such as Lawra, Nandom, Sissala East, Lambussie-Karni, and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba.”
Dr Quarmine outlined two key findings. First, climate change is a real and lived experience for households in northern Ghana. Second, the region is undergoing rapid cultural, economic, and demographic changes, influencing vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies.
“The students’ research showed that men in these areas tend to adopt climate-smart agriculture techniques, such as improved irrigation and information services, while women often turn to off-farm activities like trade and savings.
Migration remains a dominant strategy for both men and women, although its long-term effects on local agriculture and labour availability must be carefully managed,” he added.
Beyond individual adaptation, students also examined how policymakers in the Upper West Region are responding to climate and social changes. Their findings suggest that while planners recognise ongoing social transformation, they lack the necessary tools to incorporate it into development interventions.
The REACH-STR project is being implemented by IWMI in collaboration with the University of Ghana’s Centre for Migration Studies, the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute.
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