The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. William Otoo-Ellis, has reminded countries in Africa about the devastating impact of climate change on the socio-economic lives of their people.
He mentioned food insecurity following decline in crop yields of between five and 25 per cent and a projected revenue drop from 17 to 32 per cent as some of the effects of climate change that could occur on the continent.

Prof. Otoo-Ellis, who is a food scientist, further indicated that climate change would also have a serious impact on land use for both livestock and crop farming if the activities that precipitated the change were not stopped.
Ghana News Headlines

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He was addressing the first stakeholder consultation workshop on climate change organised by the KNUST branch of the West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) in Kumasi last Wednesday.

The objectives of WASCAL include building the capacities of members to manage natural resources and developing and coordinating research agenda for the entire sub-region.
Currently, 10 WASCAL centres have been created in Africa where it is shaping policies to deal with the growing menace.

Attention

The vice-chancellor noted that in spite of education on the effects of climate change, the sector was not being given the necessary attention in the country’s sectoral development policies and strategies.

He described the situation as worrying, to the extent that if it was not checked, it could create a bleak future for member countries.
For instance, he said, the length of the maturing period for most crops could drop below 90 days in the Sahel region.

“Climate change poses a real challenge to natural and human systems in sub-Saharan Africa,” Prof. Otoo-Ellis emphasised.

Failure

A Nigerian scientist, Prof. Jerome Omotosho, said governments in the sub-region were partly to blame for the destruction of the environment because of price hikes on petroleum products such as liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene which were basic necessities.

He said such decisions made African governments hypocritical in that while they preached on the need to curb environmental degradation, their actions did not reflect their thoughts.

“The continuous increase in the prices of petroleum products will invariably compel our rural folks to go back to the bush and fell more trees. Our governments must have a change in policy direction and tackle climate change realistically,” he urged.

A five-member committee to represent Ghana at the regional consultative meeting is to be announced next month.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. William Otoo-Ellis, has reminded countries in Africa about the devastating impact of climate change on the socio-economic lives of their people.
He mentioned food insecurity following decline in crop yields of between five and 25 per cent and a projected revenue drop from 17 to 32 per cent as some of the effects of climate change that could occur on the continent.

Prof. Otoo-Ellis, who is a food scientist, further indicated that climate change would also have a serious impact on land use for both livestock and crop farming if the activities that precipitated the change were not stopped.
Ghana News Headlines

For latest news in Ghana, visit Graphic Online news headlines page Ghana news page

He was addressing the first stakeholder consultation workshop on climate change organised by the KNUST branch of the West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) in Kumasi last Wednesday.

The objectives of WASCAL include building the capacities of members to manage natural resources and developing and coordinating research agenda for the entire sub-region.
Currently, 10 WASCAL centres have been created in Africa where it is shaping policies to deal with the growing menace.

Attention

The vice-chancellor noted that in spite of education on the effects of climate change, the sector was not being given the necessary attention in the country’s sectoral development policies and strategies.

He described the situation as worrying, to the extent that if it was not checked, it could create a bleak future for member countries.
For instance, he said, the length of the maturing period for most crops could drop below 90 days in the Sahel region.

“Climate change poses a real challenge to natural and human systems in sub-Saharan Africa,” Prof. Otoo-Ellis emphasised.

Failure

A Nigerian scientist, Prof. Jerome Omotosho, said governments in the sub-region were partly to blame for the destruction of the environment because of price hikes on petroleum products such as liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene which were basic necessities.

He said such decisions made African governments hypocritical in that while they preached on the need to curb environmental degradation, their actions did not reflect their thoughts.

“The continuous increase in the prices of petroleum products will invariably compel our rural folks to go back to the bush and fell more trees. Our governments must have a change in policy direction and tackle climate change realistically,” he urged.

A five-member committee to represent Ghana at the regional consultative meeting is to be announced next month.

We are glad to inform the general public that WASCAL, KUNST Scholarships Programme PhD in Climate Change & Land Use application is in progress.
“West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use” (WASCAL)
The WASCAL Graduate Research Programme in Climate Change and Land Use (GRP-CCLU) is pleased to announce that up to 10 fully-funded (tuition, stipend, research and travel grants) scholarships are available for applicants from the following ten West African Countries to study for PhD in Climate Change and Land Use at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana:

Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Mali and Senegal.
Background of the Programme

This is a German-government sponsored PhD programme aimed at providing state-of-the-art training for professionals in Climate Change and Land Use. The programme is strongly multidisciplinary and jointly organised by twelve institutions from eleven countries (i.e. the ten West African Countries listed above and Germany). Participants will acquire knowledge on the causes of climate change, the implications of climate change on land use for the West African sub-region, and the policy and management practices that may be put in place to mitigate and adapt to the impact of the changing climate on land use.

The variation in climate conditions compounded by poor land management practices are threats to development of the region. The region, which is generally poor, is yet to effectively develop geographic information system and remote sensing technologies for land administration. These, when developed are expected to make available useful data and information for effective land use management.

The West African sub-region is faced with the following challenges, which may hinder the bid towards effective land use management:

Limited opportunities for land use and geo-scientists to improve their capacity at the graduate level.
Lack of electronic science infrastructure for land use education and training.
Gaps between climate and land use research findings and implementation.
Lack of awareness about the value of climate and land use information among decision makers.

Read more HERE
Responsibilities of Participants

The PhD participant’s tasks will be to;

Attend all classes for the required modules in the course work phase and pass all examinations.
Develop a comprehensive research proposal with detailed literature review and methodology.
Must pass a comprehensive exam after the first year as KNUST School of Graduate Studies requirement.
Undertake diligently the selected research topic within the context of this programme.
Timely feedback and submission of reports and assignments is cardinal.
The international nature of the programme will demand good working relations between people of different cultures, so participants must show maturity in working in groups.
The participant is expected to publish at least 2 papers from his/her research findings in a reputable international peer-reviewed journal before qualifying to graduate.

The selected candidate will be enrolled in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and will attend all lectures at Kumasi but will have the opportunity to visit any of the partner universities for research and discussions when necessary.
Financial Matters

All scholarship-holding PhD fellows will receive a stipend of €500.00 per month (but will receive €250.00 during pre-course English language preparations) to cover accommodation and other expenses for the months spent in Ghana. Approved travel costs, costs for fieldwork, etc., will be reimbursed. The disbursement of scholarship funds will be connected to the successful delivery of research work deliverables to be agreed upon between the project coordinator, the supervisor and the PhD fellow at the onset of the research work.

Field research will be sponsored after a successful course work and defends of PhD proposal. The PhD fellow will travel to Germany once during the course of the PhD fellowship period to participate in PhD level courses and joint supervision. The trip will be 3 – 6 months in duration. Airfare will be paid for by the project and a monthly stipend of about €1000.00 (to cater for lodging and personal expenses) will also be provided for each month spent in Germany.
Employment Opportunities

Participants graduating from this multidisciplinary and multinational programme will gain skills as scientific officers, managers of natural resources or academics expected to find employment in conservation agencies and bodies, land and forestry agencies, research institutions, nature reserves, overseas aid programmes, international NGOs, environmental protection agencies, departments of agriculture, water resources or soil, and universities.
Entry Requirements

In conformity with the entry requirement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate will have a minimum of:

Second Class (Upper Division) in their first degree.
Good Masters degree in Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Engineering option), Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydrology option), Geomatic Engineering, Natural Resources (Silviculture and Forestry, and Watershed management), Mathematics, Geography, Land Economy, Atmospheric Physics, Climatology, and other relevant disciplines, with an average of at least 60%. Submit academic transcripts.
Candidates from Francophone countries must have an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or British Council, IELTS) with above average score. Otherwise they will undertake a four-month intensive English training and preparatory courses.
Evidence of current and previous employments.
Experience with modelling and GIS would be an advantage but not a prerequisite.
Full time availability from February1, 2016 – for a period of forty-three months.
Demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem solving potentials.
Provide 2 referees, one of whom must be the supervisor at the Master’s level.
Submit both soft and hard copies of a short concept note (max. 3 pages outlining the justification, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes of the a research idea
Submit both soft and hard copies of a letter of motivation (max. two pages) with the heading “WASCAL GRP-CCLU PhD” outlining the following:
Why you want to study Climate Change and Land Use at the PhD level
What is your current occupation or job
Why you are well-suited to study this programme
How your admission into the PhD Climate Change and Land Use Programme will fit into your professional vision.
How your home country stands to benefit after your training
You may also add other relevant information and/or experience you feel is necessary to support your application.

In addition, the candidate must have the ability to travel to Germany for a period of 3 – 6 months for PhD course training and supervisory workshops.
How to Apply for KUNST – WASCAL PhD Scholarships in Climate Change & Land Use

Download and Completes Application Form

Interested candidates are to apply completes the application form by accessing the KNUST APPLICATION via

Ghanaian Applicants: Are to complete the attached pdf application forms

Foreign Applicants: admissions.knust.edu.gh/pgadmissionsnew/foreign.php

All Applicants must complete the attached pdf referee form
Carefully read the IMPORTANT NOTES on the Application Form
Complete application form and scanned recent passport-size picture
The deadline for receiving completed application forms and all necessary documents at the GRP CCLU is January 08, 2016.
Submit the signed application form and other information by email to the Secretary at wascalknust@gmail.com ; wascal.cclu@knust.edu.gh and copy intern.w@wascal.org ; weto.s@wascal.org

KNUST in collaboration with the GRP CCLU Board will short list candidates and select one candidate for each country. There may be the need for a selection interview in/or near Kumasi OR via telephone. The date of the interview will be communicated after short listing. The selection interview is mandatory to support the final selection of candidates. Successful candidates will then submit hardcopy of the application package.
Application Supporting Document

Completed application form
Detailed CV
Two letters of reference (one from a supervisor at the Master’s level)
Short concept note (three pages)
Motivation letter (two pages)
Official transcript for BSc and MSc degrees
Official certificate for BSc and MSc degrees
Two recent passport photographs
Proof of English proficiency

Please Note Following:

Application deadline: January 08, 2016.
Send supporting documents in a single zip file
Supporting documents in French must have an official English translated version in addition
Ineligible, incomplete or late applications will not be processed
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by February 15, 2016 for an interview or to provide additional details

MyEduGist Team

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Monrovia-Climate change remains an environmental cancer which has been covertly eating up the green of every nation including Liberia and the World at large. It poses a visible threat to the existence of the planet as well as humanity as a whole.

ampmali.net – 08-01-16

Short:

Atelier de lancement des consultations des parties prenantes du WASCAL au Mali pour le programme triennal de recherche 2017-2020 pour faire face au changement climatique.

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Allafrica, 05-01-2016

Short:

The University of The Gambia (UTG) recently organised a daylong training workshop on national consultations on the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL).

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By Isatou Senghore-Njie

The University of The Gambia (UTG) recently organised a daylong training workshop on national consultations on the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL).

The aim was to fulfill its mission as a regionally-based services centre on climate change, with a coherent research agenda that meets the needs of the people in West Africa.

The University of The Gambia (UTG) recently organised a daylong training workshop on national consultations on the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL).

The aim was to fulfill its mission as a regionally-based services centre on climate change, with a coherent research agenda that meets the needs of the people in West Africa.

It was also planned to hold national and regional consultations on the organisation’s research programme for the period 2016-2020.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Pa Ousman Jarju, Minister of Environment, Water Resources, Climate Change, Parks and Wildlife, said climate change is the biggest challenge of our time.

He noted that one of the reasons is because it has been established that Africa’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by multiple stresses and a number of non-climate factors, including low levels of development, a high prevalence of diseases, conflicts, high dependence on rain-fed agriculture and low adaptive capacity.

He said a 1.5-2 degree warming by 2030-2040 could lead to about 40-80 per cent reduction in present maize, millet and sorghum cropping areas for current cultivars, adding that with a 3-degree warming, the reduction could grow to more than 90 per cent.

WASCAL is a large-scale research-focused programme at the climate service center designed to help address this challenge, and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability.

It also strengthens the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change, and by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany, he added.

Professor MIA Khalil, UTG Vice Chancellor, said nine students from nine different West African countries graduated last month from the master’s research programme on climate change at the UTG, and they are currently recruiting for the next batch of students.

The main purpose of the meeting was to consult various groups and individuals to help identify the issues related to climate change in the country, the corresponding research needs and research gaps as contained in the reference document, he said.

Dr. Abubacarr Senghore, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said WASCAL is a regional programme on climate change education, a regional capacity building initiative aimed at improving the understanding of climate change impacts in West Africa.

He urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to have our research needs and gaps fully represented in the 2016-2020 WASCAL agenda.
Author: Isatou Senghore-Njie