Assessing Adaptation Strategies to the Impacts of Climate Change: A Case Study of Pungu - Upper East Region, Ghana

Abstract

The research was undertaken at Pungu in the Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region of Ghana, in order to assess the adaptation strategies of the impacts of climate change by indigenes with respect to the unpredictable change in climate at the area (Pungu). The study was based on climate change impact on health, water resources, agriculture and socioeconomic statuses as questionnaire and interview were the scientific methods utilized in this findings. The results from the assessment showed that, indigenes sleep either outside or inside which is dependent on prevailing atmospheric temperature to prevent heat related illness such as cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) among others. The study also found out that unpredictable climate change had detrimental impact on water resources and agriculture in the area which inevitably affected their social and economic works. So, adaptation strategies such as hand-dug wells and boreholes are resorted to cope with the impacts of climate change on the aforementioned statuses. Frequent seminars and public education on the awareness of climate change, impacts and adaptation strategies are recommended.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Towards Reducing Vulnerability to Drought in Northern Ghana

“…This ensures that an amount of water stays at that point which is then used for irrigation. According to [20], most farmers in the northern sector of Ghana use shallow wells or hand-dug wells alongside boreholes and rainwater collection during the rainy season for use during the dry season. This finding confirms the results of the current study and also indicates that this practice is widespread and a proven adaptation strategy for water conservation in northern Ghana because of the unimodal rainfall pattern.…”

“…Findings by other researchers, based on field surveys, agree with those of this study. For instance, a survey conducted by [20] reported that about 90% of respondents indicated the growing of vegetables as a good strategy for climate change adaptation. By so doing, the farmers can sell the vegetables and then buy other basic needs for the family.…”

Contribution of Income Diversification Strategies to Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods in the Upper East Region of Ghana

“…As a result, households are food insecure in terms of grain shortage and poor nutritional diversity (Owusu et al, 2013). One study emphasized that household members had attempted to escape from this difficulty by moving to urban areas (Ampadu et al, 2018). In particular, out-migration among the youths in small communities has increased (Adam et al, 2016).…”

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Temperature on Anopheles Mosquito Development and Survival: Implications for Malaria Control in a Future Warmer Climate

“…Climate change is being experienced through an increase in global temperatures, sea-level rise, shrinking ice sheets, warming oceans, Arctic sea ice decline, glacial retreat, increasing extreme events, ocean acidification, and decreased snow cover [ 6 ]. Climate change may affect human health in many ways, including affecting livelihood and food security [ 7 , 8 ]. In addition, climate change could directly influence the patterns of infectious diseases and vector-borne diseases [ 9 ] and modify vector distribution and the extension of geographical ranges of mosquitoes such as the malaria vector [ 10 ].…”