Don Agor, the President of Climate Communications & Local Governance-Africa (CCLG-Africa), has underscored the crucial need to bridge the communication gap in addressing climate change, emphasizing the lack of engagement at the grassroots level despite extensive discussions at the top.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a volunteers’ capacity-building workshop in Parliament on Thursday, November 16, Agor explained that CCLG’s activities include the formation of a communication group within Parliament, comprising journalists, climate activists, and members of Parliament (MPs).
He stressed the significance of including MPs in the communication efforts, considering them as custodians of their constituencies.
He stated, “We think that working closely with the MPs will bring climate-related issues to the fore and help achieve targeted results much quicker.”
The workshop, conducted in partnership with Citizens Climate International (CCI) and in collaboration with the Environment Committee of Parliament, aimed to enhance the capabilities of volunteers.
During the event, Member of Parliament for Oforikrom and Chairman of the Environment, Science, and Technology Committee, Emmanuel Marfo, emphasized the crucial role MPs play in advocating for climate action.
Marfo, who chaired the programme, acknowledged the complexity of the subject of climate change and stressed the importance of bridging the communication gap.
He noted that MPs have a responsibility to represent their constituents and connect policy to action, leveraging their positions for citizen engagement.
“When we understand what is going on, then we are better placed to communicate and also to engage because we have the legitimacy from the people,” Marfo stated.
He urged CCLG-Africa to focus on lobbying MPs and politicians to garner their support for climate action in the country.
According to him, well-informed MPs can utilize their influence in budget-making to turn climate action into reality.
MP for Bia West, Augustine Tawiah, a passionate advocate for climate change, expressed concern about the environmental impact of climate change in Ghana.
Hon. Tawiah lamented the diminishing forest resources due to practices like slash-and-burn agriculture and called for a drastic change in the status quo.
Participants at the training workshop include climate activists, journalists from the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC), interest groups, and individuals who use their professions to advocate for climate action.
Dr. Joseph Essandoh-Yeddu, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, and Mike David Terungwa, an Africa representative of CCI, were the resource persons for the workshop, and covered topics such as Building Capacity for Action, Developing Tasks, and Lobbying.