The German Government is to set up science centres in nine West African countries in an effort to combat climate change.

The lengthily-titled German-West African Science Centre for Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (GWASCCCLU) project was launched in Berlin last month, and centres will be built in Ghana (where the headquarters will be located) and then in Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Gambia.

The project was instigated to assist developing countries address climate change issues.

Sherry Ayittey, minister of environment, science and technology, told the Ghana News Agency that the centres would "help generate knowledge and develop analytical capability in the sub-region on climate change and adapted land use for sustainable development in the major river basins and preserved natural resource".