Tamale, Aug. 30, GNA - Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) engaged in addressing issues on climate change, have called on the government to empower traditional authorities to play their role of stewardship over natural resources at the local level in a responsive and accountable manner.

They have also called on government to explain to citizens the major points of climate change debate and ensure that citizens at the local level benefit from mechanisms put in place to address climate change at the national and international levels. The CSOs made up of SEND-Ghana, Participatory Development Associates, CARE and Christian Aid, made the call in a nine point Communique issued in Tamale at the end of a two days public forum on climate change.

The forum was on the theme: "Voices and Vision on Climate Change". The Communique, which was read on behalf of the group by Mr. Samuel Zang Akologo of SEND-Ghana, assured government of civil society's readiness to participate in governments consultative processes in the lead up to the Copenhagen talks on climate change in December 2009. The Copenhagen campaign is a public call on countries such as Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands to be global leaders on climate change by making at least 80 percent cuts in carbon emissions by 2050. The Civil Society groups also committed themselves to enhancing the capacity and broadening the consultative process leading to the Copenhagen talks and beyond at all levels of society. The Communique urged the government to ensure that its senior officials follow the processes and participate in the Copenhagen climate change talks and related matters. It also urged the government to play an influential role in forging a concerted and strong African voice at the Copenhagen talks and beyond in order to signal the seriousness of climate change issues to Africa and other vulnerable countries in the World. 30 Aug. 09