Ghana, Burkina Faso and Kenya WISE-UP to Climate Change

Members of a household trying to clear the heap of sand dumped in their house by a blast of tidal waves in the Totope coastal community near Ada in Ghana

The climate change phenomenon and how best countries can mitigate the impacts or adapt to them continues to be a priority issue of concern worldwide. Of particular concern to the international community is the high level of vulnerability of African countries to climate change. This is because their economies, which are mostly natural resources based (agriculture, mining, fishing, etc.) are highly sensitive to climate change and climate variability. Consequently, the United Nations, World Bank and other international organisations agree that Africa will be worst hit by climate change.

Green is Denmark and Denmark is Green

Journalist delegation posing with windmills in Thisted. Photo by Peter Mørk, Nordjyske Medier

Denmark is one country that has set the pace for a green economy and has accordingly branded herself as such: “State of Green, Join the Future. Think Denmark.” This branding is not only unique, but timely as it is connected to the current global agenda for green economies. It projects Danish strongholds across the green landscape of energy, climate, water and other natural resources, and the environment. This branding is not a mere cosmetic display; but the product of coming to terms with existing problems on the ground, brainstorming on what do,  identifying the options, forging a national consensus, committing resources for implementation and of course with the backing of a strong political will. 

The country does not want to keep its success story to itself.  Most importantly, it is reaching out to potential partners particularly in developing countries in pursuance of green growth. Therefore, the country has packaged an introductory tour on the green growth concept dubbed “State of Green Tour” for high level commercial and political decision makers as well as the media.

A group of African journalists from Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, was a recent beneficiary of the tour. The delegation’s week-long visit to Denmark was part of a pilot project initiated by International Media Support (IMS) an international NGO that works to support a range of media development in four continents including Africa. The tour focused on the three sub-themes to green growth namely renewable energy, water resources management and agric-business. It was funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign.