22 Apr 2025 5 min read Sustainable Development

Bridging the Climate Literacy Gap: Insights from the Foto4Change Exhibitions in Northern Ghana

`climate change awareness in Ghana`

By Dorcas Kongwie

Climate change awareness in Ghana often fails to reach the communities most affected. The recent Foto4Change photo exhibitions, held across Tamale and rural Northern Ghana, brought water scarcity and climate change to life through powerful visual storytelling. These events exposed a critical climate literacy gap , especially in regions battling dried-up dams, erratic rainfall, and extreme heat. While cities like Tamale are engaging with climate discourse, rural voices remain on the sidelines. Here's what I discovered as I moved through these exhibitions, and why it's time we rethink how we communicate the climate crisis

The recent "Water Scarcity and Climate Change" photo exhibitions by Foto4Change revealed a powerful truth—one we often overlook in the climate conversation: who is being left behind in awareness and action.

Through these three immersive exhibitions, I came to a sobering realization. While visuals can unite us in understanding, they also expose the deep gaps in climate literacy across different communities.

The first exhibition took place in Tamale and was well attended by individuals already engaged in the issues, including NGOs, government agencies, environmental advocates, and educated youth. This reflects positively on people's genuine interest in the matter at hand.

Discussions were lively and engaging, clearly demonstrating that the attendees understood the stakes involved.

They asked thoughtful questions and shared personal experiences. The conversation was rich because those in the room already had some level of exposure and understanding, knowing firsthand what we are battling to address.

Left Image: Exhibition in Tamale, Right: Exhibition in Daboashei

The other two exhibitions, held in smaller communities in the Northern Region, presented a different yet equally powerful perspective. These were not merely exhibitions; they represented a form of experimentation, a means to assess understanding and gauge awareness of climate-related issues. What I discovered was painful: a significant and dangerous knowledge gap.

These are the communities most affected by erratic rainfall, dried-up dams and streams, lost crops, and unbearable heat. Yet many didn’t fully understand why this was occurring or how it connected to the global climate crisis. As usual, these beliefs are tied to myths and the actions of the gods. It’s not that they were indifferent; it’s that no one had truly explained it to them in a language they understood and in a way they could relate to.

What these exhibitions revealed is simple but critical: a lot of the work has to be done at the grassroots level. We talk too much in rooms that are far from the problem. We present charts, quotes, and reports, but the people we aim to serve aren’t part of those conversations.

It feels as if nothing is changing. The reality is, it’s not just about the solutions we offer; it’s also about how we communicate them. This is not to say that a lot has not been done by organizations, but our focus must be clear, specific, and intentional.

The Foto4Change exhibitions were unique. They brought climate change closer to home through imagery. Photos of cracked earth, dry wells, desperate mothers, and weary women conveyed stories that no statistics could. Most importantly, they bypassed literacy and communicated directly with people. Many could not read the words, but the photos? The photos spoke volumes. That’s when I sensed a spark of curiosity, questions, reflections, and genuine engagement.

Why We Must Rethink Climate Communication

Tamale has long been plagued by the issue of water scarcity. This wound continues to expand; it rots and it smells. Communities within Tamale city are left to suffer. Sometimes I wonder what the true priorities of our leaders are.

I thought water was life; does it no longer matter?

It is sad. Every dry tap, every child who misses school to fetch water, and every woman forced to walk miles under the scorching sun is a cry for help. But that cry is not always heard, and that silence is deadlier than an atomic bomb. We wonder why people hesitate to come to the north to work or stay.

Let me stress that this is not meant to paint Northern Ghana in a negative light, but rather to create awareness about some of the pressing issues affecting the region.

This is what we need. I urge NGOs and CSOs to include visual storytelling in their work. Not just posters, but immersive, emotional visuals. Words can sometimes alienate. Photos invite people in. They stir emotions and awaken interest.

Also, our interventions must be rooted in empathy and understanding. The people living these experiences every day should not be passive recipients; they should be informed and equipped to be part of the solution.

The exhibitions showed me the gaps. Now it’s time to bridge them. And it starts by bringing the message home.