AFCCSD Train Bekwai Municipal Staff and Stakeholders on Climate Data Platform to Enhance Local Planning

A high-level training workshop aimed at equipping local authorities, stakeholders, and security agencies with the skills to use climate-related digital tools for effective development planning and risk management has been successfully held in Bekwai, Ashanti Region.

The event, jointly organized by the African Foundation for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (AFCCSD) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), introduced participants to the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Information Portal (CRVIP)—a geospatial and data-driven platform designed to provide reliable, real-time climate and environmental information for informed decision-making.

The training forms part of a broader national climate adaptation strategy under the Ghana Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme, with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It seeks to strengthen local government institutions and partner agencies in adapting to the growing impacts of climate change through digital innovation and data accessibility.

Participants were drawn from the Development Planning Unit, Statistical and Agricultural Departments of the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, Environmental Protection Agency, selected civil society organizations, and key members of the security services including the Ghana Police Service and National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).

Speaking to the media after the workshop, Mr. Francis Aforve, Executive Director of the African Foundation for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, emphasized the importance of integrating digital innovation into local governance. “The CRVIP is a one-stop, centralized platform that enables users to access climate and risk data, maps, and analysis tools. It supports timely and informed decisions that enhance community resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and support proactive planning at the local level,” he stated.

The Municipal Coordinating Director, Madam Sheila Rosetta Arthur, praised the initiative and reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to mainstreaming climate adaptation in their development agenda. “This training has been timely. It strengthens our capacity to integrate climate data into our planning processes and supports our efforts toward building a resilient municipality,” she said.

Climate expert Professor Thompson Annor from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who served as a resource person, highlighted the need for a culture of data usage in public institutions and encouraged stakeholders to regularly consult the portal to support evidence-based planning.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training and called for similar programs to be extended to other municipalities and districts. They also urged the public to support national efforts in combating climate change by adopting environmentally responsible behaviors, such as proper waste disposal, afforestation, and water conservation.

The CRVIP training is expected to catalyze stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and security institutions in responding to climate threats—such as flooding, drought, and land degradation—through smarter planning and community-based resilience strategies.

The Bekwai workshop marks another milestone in Ghana’s climate action journey, reinforcing the role of local authorities as frontline actors in sustainable development and environmental protection.