By Jones Anlimah
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter has called for urgent investment in climate resilience, improved urban planning and targeted support for women whose livelihoods have been devastated by the recent floods across parts of Ghana.
The network says the floods should serve as a wake-up call for the country to strengthen disaster preparedness, enforce environmental regulations and address long-standing challenges such as poor drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal and development in flood-prone areas.
The call was made in a press statement issued in Accra on Tuesday, July 7.
AWLN Ghana noted that while floods affect entire communities, women, children, older persons and persons living with disabilities often suffer the greatest impact. It explained that many women have lost their homes, businesses and sources of income, making recovery particularly difficult.
The organisation therefore urged government, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens to work together to support relief and recovery efforts through a coordinated and compassionate response.
It also advocated special recovery assistance for women-owned businesses, improved drainage infrastructure, stronger environmental protection and enforcement measures, expanded climate education and community preparedness programmes, as well as greater participation of women in climate action, disaster risk reduction and recovery planning.
AWLN Ghana stressed that the recent floods underscore the growing impact of climate change and the urgent need to build resilient communities capable of withstanding future disasters.
The network further expressed its condolences to families who lost loved ones in the floods and sympathised with those who sustained injuries, were displaced or suffered the destruction of their homes and livelihoods.
The statement, signed by the Chairperson of AWLN Ghana Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka, maintained that women must be at the centre of climate solutions, describing their leadership, knowledge and experience as essential to building safer and more resilient communities.
