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EORIC HOLDS A 2 DAY-WORKSHOP ON LAND USE AND FORESTRY IMPACTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
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 to develop interdisciplinary research partnerships 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 the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, commended the organizers for the timely intervention in strategizing to preserve our forest and enhancing land use in the sub-region. He urged for more collaborations and partnerships between academia, industry, and government. He charged the forum to ensure firm implementation of its proposals in sustaining forest and land use within Sub-Saharan Africa.
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 in 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.
The Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, Prof. Kirk Semple, also outlined his outfit’s firm commitment to collaborations within Sub-Saharan Africa in supporting research proposals and securing funding for such research related to land use, land use change, and forestry.
Dr. Akanimo Odon, Head of African Strategic Partnerships at Lancaster University, explored research opportunities. He encouraged participants to create a broader network that looks beyond their confinement with consideration to SDGs whenever applying for research grants.
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.