MEETING IN TOLON DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
On May 21st, 2024, the Tolon Community Centre hosted an event as part of the HABITABLE Project with approximately 55 local authorities from Gusheigu, Nanumba North, Saboba, Savelugu, Tolon, and Zabzugu. The event highlighted contributions from the University of Ghana, represented by Dr Mumuni Abu; the University of Twente, represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr Diana Reckien; and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), represented by Dr Diogo Andreolla Serraglio.
Dr Mumuni Abu opened the discussion, underlining HABITABLE’s goal to advance the understanding of the dynamics related to population movements in the context of climate and other environmental changes by applying distinct scientific methods. He shared preliminary findings from the sites selected for the study in the Northern and Volta Regions, emphasising that migration continues to be perceived as a strategy to address economic hardships, with environmental factors often obscured within the complex array of drivers influencing population movements.
Dr Diana Reckien presented initial findings from interviews with 45 households in Lingbung, attesting that climate-induced migration emerges from a multi-causal decision-making process that includes income, social networks, family support, employment opportunities, educational aspirations, as well as environmental drivers (e.g., climatic conditions). She underlined that environmental drivers can be underreported because they condition agricultural output and with it rural income as well as food (in)security.
Finally, Dr Diogo Serraglio discussed the role of migration among local-level response strategies. Preliminary findings emerging from 144 semi-structured interviews conducted in the country indicate that migration is just one of many strategies employed in response to climate vulnerabilities. These strategies include adapting agricultural practices, with variations observed among the communities selected for the study. Notably, households receiving remittances tend to view the positive aspects of migration, particularly in Ghana, where it serves as a means of income diversification to deal with financial constraints or food insecurity.
Participants noted the relevance of disseminating research findings to local authorities and communities to improve socio-economic understanding and develop adaptation responses at the local level. They underscored the need for public policies addressing climate-induced migration along with other socio-economic aspects that also prompt population movements.
The event was organised by the University of Ghana. WP2 featured a graphic novel exploring the climate change-human mobility nexus in the communities studied in Ghana, while WP4 showcased a background brief discussing the place of migration among adaptation strategies in Northern and Volta regions (soon available as IOM Policy Brief).
COMMUNITY DUBER IN LUNGBUNGA
On the afternoon of the same day, community leaders and related authorities, household members, and students from the local high school (Lungbunga Junior High School) gathered in the community’s public square for a cultural display that had approximately 400 participants at the Lungbunga palace square. The event featured a theatrical play, which was facilitated by a professional artist and a teacher from the local school. The play aimed to translate parts of HABITABLE’s scientific findings into easily understandable content for the local community. The play illustrated the issues of habitability and climate-induced migration, reflecting on how climate change impacts the livelihoods of families in the community. Besides, the performance discussed adaptation strategies at the local level and emphasised that well-managed migration can be an effective adaptation strategy to climate impacts, diversifying livelihoods, securing food security, and allowing for socio-economic and personal development of the often younger population.
HABITABLE STAKEHOLDER DISSEMINATION MEETING
University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, May 24, 2024
The University of Ghana’s Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) organised a stakeholder dissemination meeting that brought together 23 development planning officers, regional officers, representatives from NGOs and CSOs, as well as enumerators who collected data for the HABITABLE Project. The meeting, which discussed preliminary findings from Work Packages 2 & 4, facilitated a deep dive into the complexities of climate-induced migration and enabled a collaborative dialogue among national stakeholders to enhance policy responses and strategies.
Authors: Diana Reckien, Diogo Andreolla Serraglio, and Mumuni Abu