By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
Three researchers from the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), Dr. Francis X. Jarawura, Dr. Maximilian Kolbe Domapielle, and Dr. Francis N. Sanyare, have organised events for students to disseminate the outcomes of studies conducted by some graduate students in three communities in the Upper West and Savannah Regions. These students received scholarships under the REACH-STR project.
The communities that hosted the research dissemination sessions were Bullenga (Wa East) and Jambusse (Wa West) in the Upper West Region, as well as Nyoli No.1 in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.
The Resilience Against Climate Change Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) is a six-year project (2019–2025), funded by the European Union (EU) under the EU-Ghana Agricultural Programme (EUGAP). The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a co-partner of the project, which seeks to understand climate change adaptation and social transformation strategies that promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Under the project, SDD-UBIDS provided scholarships to seven master’s students and two PhD students.
The Nyoli No.1 event was the latest in the series of sessions held to share the outcomes of research in districts where data was collected.
Dr. Francis Jarawura of the Department of Planning at SDD-UBIDS, who shed light on the REACH-STR project’s journey in an interview with GBC, noted that the project provided scholarships for master’s and PhD students to research climate change adaptation. He pointed out that the community research dissemination events were aimed at sharing the findings of the studies with the communities where data had been collected.
Dr. Jarawura expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Nyoli No.1 session, like earlier ones, noting that implementing the recommendations and working towards a sustainable future is the next beneficial step for the communities after the knowledge-sharing events.
The community drama performed in the various districts (Wa West, Wa East, and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba) brought to life key findings and recommendations, making it easier for the communities to understand, ask necessary questions, and share additional indigenous insights related to the studies.
The team of students, led by Dr. Jarawura and Dr. Sanyare, demonstrated at the Nyoli No.1 community engagement that research dissemination could be both informative and entertaining. It was visible that community members were impressed by the students’ work and the drama, which made many laugh and nod in agreement.
The drama was a hit, portraying a social routine of sharing a locally brewed drink known as “pito” while discussing climate change adaptation strategies.
Two student researchers, Adnaan Ibrahim and Abdul-Rashid Adam both of whom received scholarships for their studies attended the Nyoli No.1 research dissemination event.
Adnaan Ibrahim’s research was titled: “Climate Smart Agriculture and Technical Efficiency of Maize Production in the Upper West Region.” Abdul-Rashid Adam researched the topic: “Role of Climate Services in Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation among Smallholder Farmers: A Study of Agricultural Extension in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, Ghana.”
