Tamale: ActionAid Ghana, an NGO, in partnership with Foto4Change, has commemorated this year's World Water Day with a photo exhibition at Bilpela Dam in Tamale to highlight water scarcity, gender inequality, and climate change challenges affecting vulnerable communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the photo exhibition featured images capturing the realities of water scarcity, environmental degradation, and the resilience of affected communities, serving as a call to action for stakeholders to prioritise water security, gender equality, and climate justice. World Water Day, marked annually on March 22, is a global observance aimed at raising awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources while drawing attention to the millions of people without access to safe water.
The commemoration was held under the theme: 'Water and Gender Her Water, Her Power: Advancing Climate-Resilient Communities'. It was attended by representatives of civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, community members, and students, among others. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the intersection of water access, gender equality, and climate resilience.
Madam Beatrice Yanman Biije, Northern Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana, speaking during the event, said access to safe and reliable water was not only a basic human right but also a matter of justice, dignity, and equality. She highlighted that women and girls bore the brunt of water scarcity as they were often responsible for water collection in households, a burden worsened by climate change impacts such as drying water sources and erratic rainfall. This reality, she noted, limits their opportunities for education, economic empowerment, and participation in leadership and decision-making processes.
Madam Biije emphasised that climate change was not just an environmental issue but also a gender justice concern, calling for the inclusion of women's voices and leadership in water governance and climate resilience strategies. She underscored the importance of partnerships among government, CSOs, development partners, traditional authorities, and the private sector in addressing water challenges.
Mr Geoffrey Buta, Convener of the Foto4Change Exhibition, highlighted the role of photography in amplifying voices and raising awareness on water scarcity and climate-induced challenges. He stated that visual storytelling remained a powerful advocacy tool to mobilise support and inspire action among stakeholders to address water-related issues and drive social change.
Dr Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Programmes Director of Afram Plain Development Organization and Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation, in a solidarity message, emphasized the need to empower women to take leading roles in water management and decision-making. She expressed concern about the deteriorating state of the Bilpela Dam, describing it as heavily encroached with waste accumulation, grazing animals, and other human activities undermining its purpose. She called for research-driven and practical solutions, urging stakeholders to work together to restore the dam using engineering and nature-based approaches.
Professor Alhassan Elliot, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, said water scarcity continued to disproportionately affect women, children, and adolescent girls, impacting their health, education, and overall wellbeing. He underscored the need for stronger collaboration among CSOs, academic institutions, and communities to develop sustainable and lasting solutions to water challenges.
Mr Alhassan Nyorilana, a traditional leader at Bilpela, commended ActionAid Ghana and Foto4Change for the initiative and appealed to government and development partners to support the restoration of the Bilpela Dam. He noted that restoring the dam would improve access to water, promote dry season farming, and enhance the livelihoods of residents.