The Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC-UENR) and the Lancaster Environment Centre of Lancaster University successfully held a 2-day international workshop for stakeholders on Land Use, Land use Change and Forestry Impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The workshop was held on September 25 and 26, 2023 and brought together experts from different backgrounds in developing interdisciplinary research partnership to provide a holistic understanding regarding changes in land use and forestry within Sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of these changes on climate and the environment.
Welcoming the participants, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako commended the organizers for the timely intervention in strategizing to preserve our forest as well as enhancing land use in the sub-region. He urged for more collaborations and partnerships between academia, industry, and government and charged the forum to ensure firm implementation of its proposals in sustaining forest and land use within Sub-Saharan Africa.
Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako in his address found the workshop timely and called for a stronger collaboration with partners
The Head of EORIC and Project Lead, Ing. Dr. Emmanuel Nyantakyi gave an overview of the project revealing that changes in land use and forestry are major factors to global climate change with tropical forests serving as storage of carbon dioxide. “The onus now lies on stakeholders to collaborate and propose practical solutions to protect lands and forests”, he said.
Head of EORIC and Project Lead, Ing. Dr. Emmanuel Nyantakyi
The Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, Prof. Kirk Semple also outlined his outfit firm committed to collaborations within Sub-Saharan Africa in supporting research proposals as well as securing funding for such research related to land use, land use change, and forestry.
The Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, Prof. Kirk Semple
Dr. Akanimo Odon, Head of African Strategic Partnerships at Lancaster University explored opportunities available for researchers. He encouraged participants to create a wider network, that look beyond their confinement with consideration to SDGs whenever applying for research grants.
Head of African Strategic Partnerships at Lancaster University,Dr. Akanimo Odon
The workshop also featured group discussions and practical sessions where participants identified theoretical research questions in land use, land use change and forestry impacts, provided data to back up the significance of the challenge as well as solutions in addressing the challenges.
