UEW Researchers Win Outstanding Research on Development Award from GDN

A team of researchers from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has earned international acclaim by securing third place in the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development category at the 2023 Global Development Awards Competition.

Administered by the Global Development Network (GDN), this prestigious competition highlights exceptional research with significant policy implications for low and middle-income countries.

The team from UEW's Department of Geography Education, comprising Dr. Victor Owusu, Dr. Raphael Ane Atanga, and Dr. Yaw Asamoah, received honours for their innovative project titled “Climate Change Education, Awareness, and Communication among Coastal Fisher Folks in Ghana and Philippines.” Their research aims to investigate the adaptation and mitigation strategies employed by fishers in response to perceived climate change impacts, focusing on how these strategies are developed and communicated within fishing communities.

Their study delves into the local perspectives on climate change along the coastal waters of Ghana, with specific research conducted in four communities in Axim, Western Region. The researchers aimed to shed light on the real-world experiences of coastal fisherfolks, examining the spatial and temporal effects of climate change on fisheries and livelihoods. By understanding these impacts, they seek to reveal how fisherfolks adapt and mitigate these effects through community knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

A notable aspect of their project is the proposed establishment of a Fishing Model School (FMS), which will offer comprehensive training in fisheries science. This school will focus on the impacts of climate change and data-driven mitigation approaches for conservation and sustainability. Adopting a learner-centred approach, the FMS aims to enhance the adaptive capacity of coastal fisherfolk, empowering them to effectively confront climate change challenges.

The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development is a highly competitive research grant programme that identifies and funds proposals with substantial potential for excellence in research and clear policy implications. The 2023 Global Development Awards Competition, held under the theme “Nexus of Education, Development and Human Security,” featured two categories and awarded grants totaling US $60,000 to the three winning projects.

Dr. Owusu, Dr. Atanga, and Dr. Asamoah's success at this competition not only brings prestige to UEW but also underscores the university's commitment to addressing critical global issues through impactful research. Their work promises to contribute significantly to the understanding and management of climate change impacts on coastal communities, providing valuable insights and practical solutions for sustainable development.