CMS and Partners Commended for Leading Research on Forced Displacement and Climate Change to Influence Policymaking

The Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Hon. Rev. John Ntim-Fordjour, has commended the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) at the University of Ghana and its partners, the EU and IDRC, for spearheading critical research on climate change, social transformation, forced displacement and gender dynamics.

Speaking at the recent conference organised by the Centre and its partners, the Deputy Minister highlighted the significance of ongoing research partnerships, particularly with the European Union and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), in addressing some of Ghana’s most pressing challenges related to forced displacement and climate-induced migration.

“The Centre’s efforts, together with the support of the EU and the IDRC, play an essential role in our understanding and response to the intersecting crises of forced displacement and climate change,” the Deputy Minister stated. He further noted that these studies are instrumental in building evidence-based policies that will guide the government in developing resilient and sustainable approaches to forced displacement and climate adaptation.

The Deputy Minister underscored the necessity of these research efforts for an effective national response to climate change and displacement, especially for marginalised populations most affected by these issues. “Research that delves deeply into the drivers and effects of forced displacement allows us to craft policies that are both preventative and responsive, ensuring that our communities can better withstand climate shocks,” he said.

He also pledged the government’s commitment to integrating these research findings into national strategies, highlighting the importance of inclusive policies that address the needs of displaced persons and affected communities. “The government is dedicated to using insights from CMS and its partners to guide our policy direction, ensuring that we support vulnerable populations and build a more resilient future for all,” he added.

For her part, IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement and Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, Prof. Mary B. Setrana, reiterated the critical impact of climate crises on Ghana's vulnerable communities, noting, “Our project, Resilience Against Climate Change-Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR), addressed the intersecting challenges of forced displacement, climate change and gender by generating crucial data and insights for policy action.”

She added, "Through this project, we investigated the social transformation conditions that promote inclusive rural development, enabling decision-makers at district, regional and national levels to integrate these findings into policies. Our goal was to support sustainable economic growth and resilience in response to climate-induced pressures on resources, which are only expected to intensify."

Touching on efforts to build capacity to tackle the pressing climate and forced displacement challenges, Prof. Setrana noted that, through the project, several PhD, MPhil, and Masters graduates were produced, who will contribute invaluable expertise to tackling these intersecting crises in policy and practice. She extended appreciation to the EU for funding the project under the Ghana Agriculture Programme and to the IDRC for their

investment in strengthening knowledge on forced displacement, gender and social transformation in the sub-region.

Ms. Silvia Tizzi, Programmes Officer for Migration at the EU in Ghana, highlighted the European Union's commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking through academic research, which she described as "essential for addressing migration crises effectively."

"The European Union recognises the critical position of researchers and academic institutions in creating data-driven strategies that make real impact," she underscored. She further stressed the need for policymakers to adopt a comprehensive approach to migration, taking into account both current patterns and future trends to effectively address this evolving issue.

Deputy Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service with responsibility for Finance and Administration, Mr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, highlighted the urgent need to address forced displacement, climate change and gender inequality as intertwined global challenges.

In addressing policy design, Mr. Owusu Mensah stressed the need for humanitarian and development policies to embrace a gendered approach, aiming to close gender gaps in areas such as education, employment and safety. He called for a "conscious effort to address the intersectionality of gender and displacement," urging stronger partnerships and coordinated responses across the humanitarian and development sectors to tackle these complex issues.

The three-day conference on "Addressing Intersecting Crises: Forced Displacement, Climate Change and Gender in Social Transformation" provided a valuable platform for researchers working on the EU-funded REACH-STR project, part of the EU Ghana Agriculture Programme (EUGAP), implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), to share their findings. The conference was organised in collaboration with key partners, including the IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Anglophone West Africa, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI) and the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS).

Bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners and community leaders, the event aimed to unpack the complex interconnections between forced displacement, climate change and gender dynamics, with a specific focus on Africa and other vulnerable regions.

Through various sessions and presentations, attendees explored critical themes like governance frameworks, climate resilience, gendered experiences of displacement and pathways to sustainable development. This interdisciplinary exchange sought to generate new knowledge and evidence-based policy recommendations that promote resilience and gender-responsive strategies for communities affected by these intersecting crises.