The University of Ghana, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, has underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and integrated risk management approach to address Ghana’s persistent and escalating flood problem. The geographer and soil scientist, Professor Codjoe, highlighted the critical importance of safety awareness, rapid evacuation protocols, and psychological support for victims of this significant challenge. He emphasized that the current structure of institutions involved in flood management, from national to district levels, is overly complex and requires a cohesive network to ensure seamless coordination. This complexity, he stated, impedes effective response and underscores the necessity for a fundamental restructuring of these systems. The distinguished professor of Population Studies at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), delivering his inaugural lecture as a full professor last Thursday, explored the crucial role of climate change in influencing future flooding events, emphasizing the imperative for Ghana’s institutions to collaborate with local authorities in a coordinated fashion to mitigate these risks. The lecture’s central theme – ‘Reading the Skies and Healing the Land: Climate, Indigenous Knowledge, and Health’ – attracted a diverse audience comprising former Vice-Chancellors, politicians, university community members, students, and friends of the professor. Professor Codjoe asserted that the current prediction of more frequent and severe flooding in the coming years calls for Ghana’s institutions to proactively engage with local authorities, establishing a coordinated response strategy. Currently, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) appears to be overburdened, necessitating a new, more strategic approach to tackle this challenge. The Population Studies professor underscored that the causes of yearly flooding are multifaceted, stemming from a combination of factors including the construction of buildings in environmentally sensitive areas and the improper disposal of waste in gutters. The lecturer detailed how climate change, a major environmental and health concern, is significantly impacting livelihoods, food security, and well-being across Ghana. The lecture examined the intricate links between climate change, indigenous knowledge, disease patterns, and healthcare, highlighting the need to integrate scientific evidence with traditional ecological practices. The lecturer argued that effective adaptation necessitates the integration of scientific understanding with local knowledge to bolster climate monitoring, disease prevention, and a resilient health system. Furthermore, the lecturer pointed out that the transition from terracotta or ceramic roofing to colour-coated aluzinc, a practice prevalent in older buildings, contributed to increased heat within spaces and interiors. Professor Codjoe questioned the continued use of red roofing sheets, which failed to attract heat, and suggested a shift towards white or light-coloured roofing materials to improve thermal comfort. He advocated for the planting of more trees and green spaces within homes to reduce the ‘baking heat’ effect, thereby alleviating heat conditions. The professor concluded that a strategic approach to mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly the increased prevalence of extreme weather events, requires a fundamental shift towards integrating scientific insights with traditional ecological practices. The Professor emphasized that the traditional wisdom of people reading the weather, utilizing avian species for prediction, represents a valuable, long-term approach to addressing this challenge, and calls for collaboration between science and traditional rulers to establish a permanent solution.” , ] ,} ,} ]
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Source: Graphic Online
