Mr. Seidu Issifu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability at the Office of the President, has stressed that climate change is no longer a looming challenge but a present crisis, already reshaping livelihoods and straining Ghana’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems.
Speaking at the WASH4Climate Summit in Accra, themed “Strengthening WASH Resilience through Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment and Local Adaptation Planning”, the Minister noted that poor water and sanitation remain the leading causes of preventable diseases in the country. This, he said, makes climate-sensitive WASH planning an essential tool for protecting public health.
The summit was jointly organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability and WaterAid Ghana to present findings from the Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (CVRA) conducted in five districts of the Upper East Region Bongo, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, Kassena-Nankana West, Nabdam, and Bawku West. The event also engaged selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on integrating climate resilience into WASH planning.
Climate Change, Health, and Sanitation Risks
Mr. Issifu pointed to research data showing that poor water and sanitation account for nearly 70% of all diseases in Ghana. He further revealed that diarrhoea causes a quarter of all deaths among children under five, with about 1,000 under-five deaths each year linked to contaminated water sources.
“The theme of this summit challenges us to act with urgency, strengthen the resilience of our WASH systems, and ensure that climate adaptation strategies are informed by evidence and grounded in local realities,” he said.
The Minister also announced the establishment of a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub a centre of excellence to coordinate research, policy, and innovation, ensuring lessons from initiatives like WASH4Climate influence both national policy and global advocacy. In addition, the Ministry plans to institutionalize Climate Change and Sustainability Units across all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and local assemblies to mainstream climate action across sectors.
Findings from the Upper East Region
Presenting findings from the CVRA, Mr. Richard Ntibrey, Programmes Manager for WASH and Climate Change at WaterAid Ghana, said communities in the Upper East Region are already experiencing the severe effects of climate variability.
He explained that prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall have reduced water availability from rivers, boreholes, and wells, while extended dry spells lasting up to six months are worsening water scarcity. Rising temperatures, he added, are also increasing evaporation and reducing groundwater recharge.
Mr. Ntibrey highlighted that 70% of households rely on unimproved sanitation facilities, leaving them highly vulnerable to floods, droughts, and other climate-related shocks.
Strengthening Resilience
Based on the findings, Mr. Ntibrey outlined several urgent measures, including:
-
Improved water resource management through rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and efficient irrigation systems.
-
Upgrading WASH infrastructure by developing climate-resilient water supply systems, replacing aging facilities, and constructing flood-protected sanitation units.
-
Disaster preparedness, with early warning systems for floods and droughts, disaster risk reduction strategies, and stronger flood control measures.
He emphasized that mobilizing resources, partnerships, and donor support will be critical to scaling up these adaptation strategies and ensuring that communities are better prepared for the growing threats of climate change.
Reported by: Reagan Dunyo
Science Reporter, Express News Ghana