The growing impact of climate change is worsening water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in rural communities, with flooding, prolonged dry periods and changing water availability threatening access to safe water and adequate sanitation.
In the Upper East Region, five districts are being targeted for interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, and promoting climate justice.
The targeted districts are Bawku West, Nabdam, Bongo, Kassena Nankana Municipal and Kassena West Districts.
Flooding and prolonged dry periods are increasingly affecting access to safe water and sanitation facilities, while changes in water availability are making it more difficult for some residents to maintain basic hygiene practices.
In the Upper East Region, flooding associated with the spillage of the Bagre Dam can contaminate water sources and sanitation facilities, exposing affected communities to water- and sanitation-related diseases.
It is against this backdrop that five districts in the region have been targeted for interventions to strengthen climate resilience, improve WASH services and practices, and promote climate justice.
The Executive Director of the Belim Wusa Development Agency, BEWA, Peter Asaal, says stronger accountability from duty bearers is needed to address the growing climate and WASH challenges confronting vulnerable communities.
He made the call during a training session for journalists on climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene reporting in Bolgatanga.
Mr Asaal urged journalists to deepen their understanding of the links between climate change and WASH and produce more evidence-based reports on the issues.
He said effective journalism can help draw attention to challenges facing vulnerable communities, influence policy decisions, promote accountability and drive action from duty bearers.
The program which is executed by Belim Wusa Development Agency, Water Aid and SIDA under the climb Ghana partnership is expected to reduce the challenges associated with climate change.
The initiative is expected to strengthen community resilience while supporting efforts to ensure that climate change responses also address the water, sanitation and hygiene needs of rural populations.
For communities already struggling with limited access to basic services, stakeholders say building climate resilience must go hand in hand with improving WASH systems and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
Story by Ibrahim Abode || Upper East
