The Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) at the University of Ghana has unveiled its latest research findings on climate change and migration governance as part of the Governing Climate Mobility (GCM) project in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.

Conducted in collaboration with community members, farmers, and key stakeholders, the dissemination workshop held in Somanya aimed to foster dialogue and share insights garnered through the GCM project. Supported by funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA) and additional assistance from the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), the study spanned across Ghana and Ethiopia.

The Ghana-focused segment of the GCM project, spearheaded by Professor Joseph K. Teye and Dr. Francis Jarawura of CMS, honed in on key regions, including the Yilo Krobo Municipality within the Eastern Region.

John Narh, a Researcher at the Centre for Migration Studies and facilitator of the workshop, outlined the program's objectives, emphasizing the importance of engaging stakeholders in climate change, migration, and agriculture. Narh presented key findings, revealing that a significant percentage of households in the municipality relied on crop farming as their primary source of livelihood. Moreover, climate change-related factors such as drought and irregular rainfall had spurred temporary or permanent migration among community members.

Despite widespread climate-related challenges, the study highlighted limited support mechanisms available to affected households, with most assistance originating from family and friends rather than governmental sources. Additionally, issues of immobility emerged, with some residents expressing reluctance to migrate due to familial ties and economic considerations.

In response to the research findings, recommendations were put forth to bolster in-situ adaptation strategies, such as irrigation and smart agriculture, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on livelihoods. Moreover, policymakers were urged to devise initiatives that facilitate migration in a manner that benefits both sending communities and destination areas.

Eric Hini, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Coordinating Director, underscored the importance of community-led efforts in combating climate change, emphasizing practices such as waste management and tree preservation.

Chief Superintendent Gifty Agorkley, an Immigration Officer at the Yilo Krobo Municipal Command, urged youth to embrace agriculture and collaborate with agricultural authorities to enhance crop yields. By doing so, she emphasized, individuals could improve their economic standing and reduce the allure of migration through irregular channels, thereby mitigating associated risks such as human trafficking and exploitation.

The dissemination workshop concluded with a call to action for concerted efforts to address the intersecting challenges of climate change, migration, and sustainable livelihoods, underscoring the vital role of research-driven interventions and community engagement in shaping effective policy responses.