Five Districts in Upper East Region Targeted to Improve WASH and Climate Resilience
The growing impact of climate change is worsening water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 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 WASH practices and promoting climate justice. The targeted districts are Bawku West, Nabdam, Bongo, Kassena Nankana Municipal and Kassena West.
Flooding and extended dry spells are increasingly affecting access to safe water and sanitation facilities, while changes in water availability are making it more difficult for residents to maintain basic hygiene practices.
In the region, flooding associated with the spillage of the Bagre Dam often contaminates water sources and sanitation facilities, exposing communities to water‑ and sanitation‑related diseases.
It is against this backdrop that the five districts have been selected for interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving WASH services and promoting 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 and WASH reporting in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Asaal urged journalists to deepen their understanding of the links between climate change and WASH and to produce more evidence‑based reports on the issues. He said effective journalism can help draw attention to the challenges facing vulnerable communities, influence policy decisions, promote accountability and drive action from duty bearers.
The programme, executed by Belim Wusa Development Agency, WaterAid, and SIDA under the Climb Ghana Partnership, is expected to help reduce the challenges associated with climate change.
The initiative aims to strengthen community resilience while ensuring that climate change responses also address the water, sanitation and hygiene needs of rural populations.