Dr Francis Obeng, a lecturer of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Development Studies (UDS), has warned that rainfall pattern in
the north would continue to be worsen if people refused to change their negative attitudes towards the environment.
Speaking on the topic: “Impact of climate variability on the agro-ecology of northern Ghana” at a public lecture at the Nyankapala Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Northern Region, he attributed the cause of the problem to negative human activities.
He mentioned indiscriminate bush burning, rampant tree felling for charcoal burning, and illegal mining activities as some of the negative practices that have to be addressed.
Dr Obeng said a research carried out by the UDS in some parts of the three Northern Regions, revealed that the area was gradually changing from a sub-humid climate to a semi-arid climate, which he warned would affect the rainfall pattern.
He explained that what that meant was that it would greatly affect the already poor yields of crops in the area and make people suffer.
Dr Obeng said, “The availability of soil moisture for crop cultivation is reducing and increasing and more frequent intermittent drought even during the growing season”.
He, therefore, called on the people in the area to desist from activities that have a greater impact on the environment.
Dr Obeng said productive agriculture farming practices that would sustain yields should be maintained as well as optimizes the use of local resources and minimizes the negative
environmental and socio-economic impact of modern
technologies.
He called for an approach that would enhance the habitat both above ground and in the soil to produce strong and healthy plants by promoting beneficial organisms.
Mr Clement Weobong also from the faculty of Agriculture, who spoke on “Connecting Climate Change and Renewal Natural Resources” said climatic change was seriously affecting renewable natural resources.
He emphasized the need for institutions to adopt mitigation measures including environmental management.
Professor Thomas .B. Bayorbor, the Dean of Faculty of Renewable and Natural Resources, who chaired the function, commended the Ghana Ecological Network and the British Ecological Society for the programme and said it would help
to complement the efforts of the Faculty to address the problem of natural resources.
The lectures organized by the Ghana Ecological Network with sponsorship from British Ecological Society, was on the theme: “Building Capacity for Ecology in Ghana for students”.
It was aimed at building the capacity of the students and lecturers on climatic change.