The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has trained its Area Officers on climate change, to enhance their capacity to support Assemblies in mainstreaming the menace into planning processes.

The one-day training, held at Sogakope in the South Tongu district of the Volta Region, aimed at equipping the officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to champion the climate change agenda.

Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Director of the Climate Change Department at the EPA, emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, highlighting those three greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide – accounted for almost 99 per cent of total emissions in the country.

He also discussed the impact of climate change on sensitive economic sectors such as health, energy, and agriculture and called for strategic approach from the Environmental Protection Officers to curb the menace.

“You should use your expertise to regulate and communicate vividly to the ordinary citizen on the causes, effects and solutions to climate change. This would bolster sustainable development in all sectors of life.,” he said.

Dr. Amoah also pledged the commitment of the management of EPA to continuously support its staff in ensuring that effective measures were initiated to educate the public on climate change.

Madam Stella Okoh, Deputy Director at the EPA, stressed the need for a broader approach that incorporated gender perspectives into policies, programs, and activities.

She encouraged participants to engage gender-diverse stakeholders, incorporate gender-sensitive indicators, and analyze gender roles in the climate context.

The training included practical project work, where participants were taken through exercises on climate change and gender inclusivity.

This equipped them with hands-on experience in developing climate change projects that incorporate gender considerations.

The participants expressed gratitude to the facilitators, noting that the training would enhance their operations in the district and beyond.

The training formed part of the EPA’s efforts to build the capacity of its staff and stakeholders to address climate change and promote sustainable development.