This video from CDKN's Ghana programme highlights the power and impact of creative tools for knowledge brokering. To be truly effective, knowledge brokering must respond to the context in which it is being carried out. This means considering the diverse ways in which meaning is created and shared.  

Context 

The Upper West region of Ghana is one of the country’s most climate-vulnerable areas. With high sensitivity to climate risk and low adaptive capacity, local communities are particularly susceptible to environmental challenges such as droughts, heatwaves and flash floods.  

Women in this region are excluded from formal decision-making processes. Their lack of representation prevents them from actively participating in discussions and influencing agendas related to climate change and its social impacts. This is especially significant as women bear the brunt of climate-related disruptions, which threaten livelihoods and increase caregiving responsibilities.  

Harnessing music for change 

In this region, music and song are powerful means of storytelling and self-expression. Women compose and perform folk songs, often shared at special occasions, to articulate their experiences and aspirations. In collaboration with the CDKN Ghana team, the composition and performing skills of women were used as tools for advocacy, social inclusion, and climate justice. 

Knowledge brokering took the form of the co-creation of songs that involved both the women's groups and researchers. The process took place over several months and integrated diverse knowledge systems, combining local wisdom with scientific insights. This participatory approach enabled women to share their lived experiences of climate impacts, such as unpredictable rain cycles, droughts, and floods.  Through music, women not only share their struggles but also call for action. 

The songs addressed both climate issues and non-climatic issues like property and land rights. Women provided deep insights from their lived experiences, while research offered the scientific context of climate change. This alignment of local and scientific knowledge ensured that the songs were both relatable and accurate.   

Outcomes 

The songs produced through this collaboration were broadcast on local radio stations, reaching approximately 200 communities. They covered a range of climate-related issues, with one song addressing the effects of climate change on rainfall patterns. This approach has proven highly effective in facilitating discussions on these critical issues. 

Challenges 

The process was not without its challenges. Language barriers added complexity, particularly when translating technical and scientific terms that had no direct equivalent in the local languages. Gbangko Gladys, a participant in the project, said that turning the topic of climate change into a song wasn’t easy, explaining, 'We faced challenges because the words were not in our language”. She continued to share how this was even more pronounced in collaborative settings, where maintaining the accuracy and integrity of meaning throughout the translation process was essential.  

Conclusion 

This initiative has done more than just amplify voices—it has fostered confidence among women, built trust among stakeholders, and strengthened the link between traditional knowledge and climate advocacy. Songs are more than just music; they serve as a bridge between knowledge and action, creating a shared understanding that resonates across generations. By transforming personal narratives into powerful advocacy tools, this project has helped ensure that women’s perspectives are heard, valued, and acted upon. Through continued dissemination and engagement, these songs will continue to inspire and drive locally-led solutions to climate challenges. 

Read more

Read more about CDKN's Ghana programme: 
Community engagement through innovative knowledge brokering tools in Ghana