In the coastal communities of Ghana and Nigeria, where fishing is a lifeline for many, women are emerging as key voices advocating for climate change action and economic empowerment.
Emem Okon, the Executive Director of KEBETKACHE Women Development and Resource Center in Nigeria, has called on governments to intervene in support of these resilient women, who are facing mounting challenges due to climate change.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop on divestment, gender, climate change, and food sovereignty in Accra, Okon emphasized the urgent need for government attention to the plight of women in the fishing industry.
The event, organized in partnership with the Tano Women Empowerment and Development Association (TWEDA) and supported by the Global Alliance for Gender and Green Action (GAGGA), aimed to strengthen solidarity between Ghanaian and Nigerian fisherfolk, with a focus on women.
“This program is about promoting learning exchange and strengthening partnerships,” Okon explained. “We want to bring attention to the specific challenges faced by women in fishing communities and how these challenges are exacerbated by climate change. The government needs to listen to these voices.”
The workshop highlighted the experiences of women fisherfolk in Anyako, a fishing community in the Keta Municipality of Ghana’s Volta Region. Despite their role in sustaining local economies, these women face numerous obstacles, including increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, flooding, and the need to venture further into the sea to find fish.
Okon was particularly moved by the women’s determination and the support they received from their communities. “The women in Anyako may not be formally organized, but they were articulate about their struggles and the support they get from local leaders, including the chief and religious leaders,” she noted.
“Their commitment to their vocation is evident, but they need more support to be able to organize, advocate for themselves, and attract the attention of the government,” she added.
The visit to Anyako included interactions with the Fishnet Alliance, a coalition of individuals involved in the fishing business, who were encouraged to incorporate more women into their ranks. The goal is to empower these women to improve their business practices and advocate for sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.
“Through further intervention by TWEDA and KEBETKACHE, we aim to empower these women, build their leadership capacity, and provide a platform for them to express their concerns about climate change,” Okon stated.
“This will hopefully attract the attention of the Ghanaian government and development partners to see how these women can be supported,” she said.
The call for government intervention is timely, as African nations, including Ghana, are increasingly focused on addressing climate change at the policy level. Okon stressed that it is often through the efforts of non-governmental organizations that governments become aware of the needs of local communities.
“Governments need to be more proactive in supporting communities like Anyako as they plan their climate change responses,” Okon urged. “The voices of these women, amplified through our efforts, must be heard if we are to create meaningful change.”
