Mr. Geoffrey Buta interacting with participants at the photography exhibition in Tamale
Award-winning photojournalist who doubles as the Team Lead at Foto4Change, Geoffrey Buta, has organised a photography exhibition to emphasise the urgent need for water preservation and climate resilience in Tamale, in the Northern Region.
Mr. Buta, at the photography exhibition, highlighted the power of visual storytelling in amplifying the voices of affected communities, ensuring their struggles are seen and heard.
According to him, Tamale has been facing water crisis for almost a decade, and it is very important as a visual journalist to document the issues for the past eight years, to bring them to light, and hold those in power accountable.
He called on organisations and policymakers to further collaborate in achieving their goals and addressing issues affecting rural people.
“As you can see, at Foto4Change, these pictures talk about real-life stories of mothers walking miles for water, children missing school due to unsafe drinking water, and farmers losing crops to droughts have directly led to policy shifts and increased funding for water projects,” he stated.
Advocacy Campaigns and Inclusion Manager at WaterAid Ghana, Madam Fauzia Aliu, noted that access to clean and safe water is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.
She, however, indicated that millions of people still lack this essential resource, highlighting the urgent need for action. She stressed that policymakers have the power to drive systemic change by enacting strong legislation, allocating resources, and implementing sustainable water solutions.
Senior Project Officer – WASH/Agric at Catholic Relief Services, Mr. Sammy Adjei, said the many regions Catholic Relief Services operates, community-led water governance has proven successful where governments provide resources, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offer technical expertise, and local communities take ownership of their water projects.
WASH Officer at the Tamale field office of UNICEF, Yakubu Alhassan Kassim, said the exhibition is a powerful advocacy tool that highlights the urgent need for water preservation and sustainable water management.
He noted that water scarcity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly children, and urged stakeholders to prioritise water security as a fundamental human right.
Mr. Kassim commended Foto4Change and the participating photographers, saying, “your work captures moments that inspire action, fostering awareness and advocacy for a world where every child has access to clean and safe water.”
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale