The Legacy of REACH-STR: A Model for Climate Resilience and Social Transformation in Ghana
After six years of dedicated work, the Resilience Against Climate Change – Social Transformation Research and Policy Advocacy (REACH-STR) project has officially concluded. This initiative, which focused on building climate resilience and driving policy innovation, has left a lasting impact on communities and institutions across Ghana. The closing ceremony, held in Accra, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from government, academia, and international partners to celebrate the project’s achievements and discuss its future implications.
Funded by the European Union (EU) under the EU-Ghana Agriculture Programme (EU-GAP), REACH-STR was led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in collaboration with several key academic and research institutions. These included the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana, Simon Diedong Dombo University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI). The project aimed to foster inclusive, evidence-based approaches to climate action, particularly in the Upper West and Savannah regions, where climate change has had significant impacts.
A Model of Integrated Climate Action
During the closing ceremony, Mr. Massimo Mina, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ghana, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of integrated climate action. He described REACH-STR as a model that effectively connects research, policy, and community resilience. “This project reflects our shared commitment to building a climate-resilient future,” he said. “With an investment portfolio of €183 million in Ghana’s agriculture sector, the EU is supporting sustainable food systems and inclusive development, particularly in the north where climate impacts are most severe.”
Mr. Mina praised the project’s success in developing practical tools such as the gender and climate vulnerability hotspot map, which have been instrumental in guiding local interventions. He emphasized the need for continued partnerships to sustain and scale these outcomes, reaffirming the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting climate-resilient agriculture and inclusive development in Ghana.
Strengthening Agricultural Decision-Making
Representing the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Paulina Addy, Director of the Women in Agricultural Development Directorate, commended the REACH-STR initiative for its contributions to agricultural decision-making and local governance. She highlighted how the project has generated actionable knowledge, promoted gender-responsive programming, and empowered planners through tools that are already influencing development plans.
“The ministry has observed with appreciation the project’s ability to generate actionable knowledge, promote gender-responsive programming and empower planners through tools that are already influencing development plans,” she said. MoFA pledged to integrate the knowledge products and planning frameworks into ongoing programs, ensuring that the project's legacy continues to shape national priorities.
Building Capacity and Generating Knowledge
Charity Osei-Amponsah, IWMI Deputy Country Representative and Project Lead, reflected on the journey of REACH-STR, emphasizing the power of collaboration. “REACH-STR has shown that inclusive, evidence-led action is possible when institutions work together,” she said. She noted key achievements such as the awarding of 19 scholarships to Master’s and PhD students, the training of over 50 district development officers, and the adoption of a six-step social transformation framework.
Dr. William Quarmine, the project’s Technical Lead, provided a detailed overview of how REACH-STR developed tools to guide intervention design, strengthen capacity, and influence policy. “We’ve contributed significantly to understanding what social transformation means in a climate context—how it happens, how to support it and how to measure its effects,” he said. The project produced five major studies, six peer-reviewed articles, and over 50 policy recommendations, including tools like the participatory mapping guide and online hotspot maps.
Expanding Reach and Impact
Dr. Quarmine also highlighted the project’s outreach efforts, which included capacity-building for over 70 development planners across the five northern regions, 30 gender officers, and community-level engagements reaching more than 380 individuals. These efforts have created a strong foundation for future initiatives that aim to address climate challenges through inclusive and evidence-based approaches.
The event concluded with a renewed call for continued knowledge-sharing, integration of tools into national systems, and deeper collaboration among government, development partners, academia, and civil society. The legacy of REACH-STR will continue to inspire and guide climate resilience efforts in Ghana and beyond.
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