Farmers in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality have been encouraged to change their farming methods as shifting weather patterns increasingly threaten their crops and livelihoods.
The appeal was made during a climate change advocacy procession through the main streets of Asankragua. The event drew attention to deforestation, illegal mining, unpredictable rainfall and the wider destruction of natural resources.
Representatives from 10 project communities took part, alongside traditional leaders, youth and women’s groups, civil society organisations and government institutions.
Participants carried placards calling for greater awareness of climate change’s impact on agriculture. They also urged communities to adopt more sustainable approaches, including agroforestry, forest restoration and sustainable cocoa production.
The District Agric Director said farmers needed to adapt to the changing conditions, with tree planting on cocoa farms identified as a key measure alongside wider climate-smart agricultural practices.
“We know that climate change has come, and there is nothing that we can do. So all that we can do is to adapt to the situation. And adapting to the situation is by practising climate-smart agriculture, and also farmers planting trees in their cocoa farms and mining sustainably,” he said.
Support for farmers
Jonathan, a project officer with the Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change and Advocacy (CCAM) Project, said farmers were receiving practical support to help them withstand climate-related challenges.
One of the measures involves training farmers in water harvesting, allowing them to collect and store rainwater for use during dry periods.
Farmers are also being taught how to make and use compost to improve soil fertility and reduce their reliance on inorganic fertilisers, he said.
The project also plans to provide weekly weather forecasts tailored to individual farm locations. The information is intended to help farmers decide when to carry out different agricultural activities.
The Municipal Assembly said climate adaptation and climate-smart agriculture had been included in its development planning for communities across the municipality.
A representative said the Assembly’s action plans would focus on climate-smart agriculture, adaptation and efforts to tackle activities that contribute to climate change.
The procession also highlighted the importance of protecting forests and water bodies, restoring degraded land and discouraging practices that damage environmental sustainability.
The advocacy march was organised through the CCAM Project, implemented by Rikolto Ghana. The project aims to improve farmers’ resilience to climate shocks through community-led adaptation measures and livelihood diversification.
