BEWDA launches advocacy project to empower Journalists and communities on climate justice

The Belim Wusa Development Agency (BEWDA) has set a new course for climate advocacy in Ghana’s Upper East Region, unveiling a pioneering project aimed at strengthening civil society and amplifying grassroots voices.

At the heart of this initiative is the training of 30 WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) journalists on climate change reporting, a programme developed in partnership with WaterAid Ghana under the SIDA CLIMB Better WASH Partnership.

Speaking at the launch, BEWDA’s Executive Director, Peter Asaal, explained that the project. formally titled "Civil Society Leadership Mobilization for Better Wards", is designed to support community mobilization and empower residents to address climate justice violations in their districts. “Our role is to see how we can mobilize communities and engage stakeholders and duty bearers in assemblies, making sure their voices are heard and their rights protected,” Asaal said.

The project’s roots lie in extensive climate vulnerability assessments across Upper East, where BEWDA identified mounting challenges impacting local communities. The pilot phase in Boko West revealed the urgency for a broader response, prompting WaterAid to support an expansion to four more districts: Nabdam, Bongo, Kassena Nankana Municipal, and Kassena Nankana West, alongside Bawku West.

Over three days, journalists have participated in intensive training, gaining deeper understanding of climate change impacts on water and sanitation infrastructure. The goal is to equip them to report accurately and compellingly on climate justice violations, ensuring that the lived experiences of affected communities are brought to light. “We want journalists to amplify the voices of those affected and hold duty bearers accountable,” Asaal emphasized.

By empowering journalists with knowledge and storytelling skills, BEWDA aims to foster greater accountability from duty bearers to right holders, those whose lives are most affected by climate change. The project also seeks to influence policy at district, regional, and national levels, ensuring that grassroots realities shape decision-making and resource allocation.

Running through March 2028, the project aspires to see a wave of impactful stories published, broadcast, and shared around the world. As these narratives reach wider audiences, BEWDA hopes to catalyze meaningful change, making climate justice a central part of policy and practice, not just in the Upper East, but across Ghana and beyond.