Climate change is a critical issue that affects the entire world, with Africa feeling its impact profoundly. Participants of the recent Climate Change and Health Strategy workshop held as part of the Africa Evidence Week celebrations in Ghana, were urged to ‘look local’ for evidence and resources to effectively tackle the crisis.

The workshop was organised by PACKS Africa in partnership with the University of Southampton’s CIRU and Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency.  Advancing Climate Change and Health Issues in Ghana: Co-Creating Research and Policy Pathways for Sustainable Interventions brought together experts to discuss ways of supporting climate action. They highlighted the significant financing gap that exists to tackle climate change and urged participants to move beyond large-scale international funding and to leverage local evidence and resources.

Edem Dennis, one of the key speakers, noted the inadequacy of available funds in Ghana given the significant impacts of climate change. At the international level, mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund exist but their funds are not always accessible.

Edem pointed out that even if you apply, success is not guaranteed, with funding often ‘scattered across various institutions and agencies’. Without reliable funding, long-term planning and the execution of comprehensive climate change mitigation strategies becomes challenging.

The discussion highlighted an essential strategy: making use of local evidence and resources to address immediate climate issues. Ms. Edna Ovulley, chairperson of the event, stressed the importance of focusing on small-scale, actionable interventions at the community level. She said that waiting for significant funding often delays solutions to local challenges, like sanitation, which can be addressed with minimal financial support. One proposed approach is to integrate environmental education into the primary school curriculum to encourage very young children to become environmentally responsible.

Collaborating for effective action

It is critical to build local capacities and to strengthen partnerships if we are to effectively tackle the climate crisis. Despite existing expertise in climate change and public health research, there is a lack of targeted funding for capacity strengthening. Edem Dennis emphasised that funding rarely targets capacity-strengthening initiatives for health researchers to undertake climate-related research.

Addressing this issue requires deliberate and sustained investment in training and developing health professionals and scientists. Such investment should be continuous, ensuring that local experts are well-equipped to conduct research and implement policies effectively. Additionally, forging stronger international partnerships is crucial. Donors need to recognise that climate change affects Africa differently and tailor their support accordingly.

Plotting a way forward

The workshop concluded with strategic recommendations to improve coordination in climate change and health research. A centralised platform was proposed to streamline these efforts, as the current approach is fragmented, with various entities working independently.

Public outreach and engagement were also identified as critical components of this strategy. Engaging the public in climate action – particularly in initiatives like carbon trading, which could generate significant revenue by 2030 – is crucial. This revenue could then be dedicated to climate health research and capacity strengthening.

The key takeaway from the discussion was clear: while large-scale funding is necessary, the power of local evidence and resources should not be underestimated. By addressing local climate issues with the resources at hand, immediate and tangible improvements can be made. As Edem Dennis concluded, we must be deliberate about our capacity-strengthening initiatives. This ensures that both local actions and international support are aligned to address the pressing challenges of climate change. In the face of global uncertainties, local action remains a powerful tool for sustainable change.

To watch the session, access the live recording here and see more of the exciting programme https://www.africaevidenceweek.org