The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Prof. John K.M Kuwornu has bemoaned the impact climate change has had on food production in Ghana. He said the degrading landscape of the Bono and Bono East regions needs urgent restoration to continue to supply the country with food as the two regions contribute largely to the country’s food basket.
Prof. Kuwornu was addressing participants at a two-day International Conference on nature-based solutions to challenges in the agricultural sector on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the University Auditorium. Speaking more on this, the Ag. Pro Vice-Chancellor said the two regions supply other parts of the country with food but the adverse effect of climate change has resulted in importing food. “Unfortunately, the food production levels have recently decreased, resulting in the importation of these items into the country to augment the local food supply,’’ he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. Kuwornu acknowledged that the challenges climate change poses to the globe presents an opportunity for stakeholders in the food production chain to explore nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture. He added that hosting the Conference in UENR is timely since it is in line with the mandate of the University to promote sustainable natural resources using the participatory approach.
Gracing the Conference on the theme “Nature-Based Solutions for Food (NBS4F) Getting Prepared for a Climate-resilient Future”, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene in her speech called on the Lecturers to make the teaching of agriculture more practical and inculcate traditional farming practices into technologically advanced practices. This, she said, would make the graduates able to start up their own farm projects without being overwhelmed with technicalities. She additionally used the platform to advocate for backyard gardening to ensure food security in the region.
The Centre for Professional Development (CePDev) headed by Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy A. Derkyi organized the Conference in partnership with the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, Forestry Commission, RMSC, Tropenbos and Solidaridad. Participants were drawn from UENR, the partner institutions as well as Farming groups.
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