Volume 10, Issue 28, July - December, 2024

Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for Ghana’s coastal population: A qualitative inquiry

Abednego Adjei Baffour

Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

ABSTRACT

The study explored the multifaceted effects of climate change on seafront communities in Ghana, revealing a cascade of challenges spanning livelihood disruptions, environmental degradation, health, social disruption, and species extinction. Through interviews and focus group discussions, it demonstrates how changing weather patterns disrupt fishing and farming industries, leading to economic hardship and food insecurity. Environmental degradation, exacerbated by extreme weather events, threatens homes and infrastructure, displacing populations. Health issues arise from intense heat and vector-borne diseases, while social and cultural disruptions strain community cohesion and identity. Additionally, climate change threatens aquatic species' survival, impacting food security and ecological balance. Yet, amidst these adversities, a glimmer of hope is found in the adaptation strategies employed by these communities. The study highlights adaptation strategies adopted by communities, including agricultural diversification, relocation, housing adaptation, flood management, and marine safety practices, as indispensable in mitigating climate adversities and fortifying the resilience of Ghana's coastal communities. Yet, such efforts cannot stand alone; concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels are imperative to safeguard the future of Ghana's coastal communities and, indeed, those worldwide. We can only confront the daunting reality of climate change and chart a sustainable path forward for all through collaborative action.

Keywords: Climate change, impact, adaptation strategies, livelihood, coastal community

Climate Change, 2024, 10(28), e6cc1033

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v10i28.e6cc1033

Published: 18 July 2024