Making Climate Services Actionable for Farmers in Ghana: The Value of Co-Production and Knowledge Integration

Emmanuel Nyadzi*, Andy B. Nyamekye, Fulco Ludwig

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Climate information services (CIS) is touted as an essential tool to support farmers’ decision-making against climate variability and change. However, the current top-down approach to designing CIS limits the reliability, acceptability and uptake of forecast information. The call for co-production and knowledge integration approach to CIS has thus gained traction. However, limited evidence exists on how this is practically implemented. This chapter explores how co-production and knowledge integration facilitates the design, information generation and uptake of CIS. Analysis was based on data collected using citizen science and other mixed methods and tools (interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, mobile apps and mental model) in the Kumbungu district of Northern Ghana. The CIS project integrated indigenous and scientific forecasting knowledge to improve the reliability and uptake of CIS. The study presents a strong case to redefine and shift to a new generation of CIS which allows indigenous people to meaningfully contribute to developing early warning systems that anticipate and combat climate change impacts as captured by the sustainable development goal 13 (SDG13). Finally, whether benefits from CIS are directly due to co-production and knowledge integration efforts or due to a general trend within a deliberative society needs to be explored.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIndigenous Knowledge and Climate Governance
Subtitle of host publicationA Sub-Saharan African Perspective
EditorsE.E. Ebhuoma, L. Leonard
PublisherSpringer
Pages97-110
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9783030994112
ISBN (Print)9783030994136
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

NameSustainable Development Goals Series
VolumePart F2728
ISSN (Print)2523-3084
ISSN (Electronic)2523-3092

Keywords

  • Climate information services
  • Co-production
  • Farmers
  • Ghana
  • Indigenous forecast
  • Knowledge integration
  • Scientific forecast

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