Climate and Livelihood Change in North East Ghana

Abstract

Northern Ghana is a sub-humid area, combining areas with high population densities and high reported levels of land degradation with scarcely populated areas, which have low levels of land degradation. It consists of three administrative Regions: Upper East Region (densely populated, around Bolgatanga and Bawku in particular), Upper West Region (pockets of dense populationaround Wa, Nandom and Lawra-amidst low population densities), and Northern Region (mainly low population densities, with the exception of the area of the major town of Ghana's northern area: Tamale. The ICCD research was concentrated in the Bolgatanga area, but later extended to include the Nandom area in Upper West (as the start of a proposal to develop a Climate Change Preparedness Programme in Northern Ghana, financed by the University of Amsterdam). In the absence of useful longitudinal data at the village or household levels, it was decided to organise two expert meetings (workshops), in collaboration with the University of Development Studies at Tamale, the University of Ghana at Legon and a local NGO, CECIK. Most of the research activities for ICCD took place in the so-called Bolgatanga cell, an area between 10° and 11° North and 0° and 1° West. It covers the eastern part of Upper East Region and the northeastern part of Northern Region. Around 1960 the cell had an average population density of less than 50 inhabitants per square kilometre (although by that time, parts of the northern area already had densities far beyond that). On average, though, the density still could be regarded as 'low' compared to other drylands in the tropics. Currently, the Bolgatanga cell has between 0.7 and 0.8 million inhabitants, which means an average population density of between 60 and 70 inhabitants per square kilometre; high in relative terms. The part of the cell, which is located in the Upper East Region, has a very high population density with an average of 200 persons per square kilometre. 12.1 CROPS AND LAND USE DYNAMICS IN NORTHERN GHANA Crops that are relevant in the northern parts of Ghana include maize, sorghum, millets, rice, groundnuts and cotton. Most of the crop (harvest area) data recorded by the FAO for these crops for Ghana as a whole can be attributed to the northern areas. Maize has almost always been the most important grain crop of Ghana, in terms of hectarage (although more important in the centre-north areas and not in the upper-north areas). The maize area increased from between 200,000 and 300,000 ha in the 1960s to a level between 600,000 and 700,000 ha in the late 1990s. The year 1984 was an absolute peak year, with 720,000 ha. The years 1965 and 1978 were the lowest with less than 200,000 ha.

Environmental variability and vulnerable livelihoods: Minimising risks and optimising opportunities for poverty alleviation

“…Water deficit is on the increase even in the growing season. Dietz et al, (2004) contend that climate change has affected rainfall, evaporation, runoff and soil moisture storage in the Upper East Region. They state further that the region experiences moisture.…”

Local level impacts of climatic and non‐climatic factors on agriculture and agricultural land‐use dynamic in rural northern Ghana

“…According to Braimoh (), the onset of rainfall is always unpredictable, with the first rains usually torrential, and only a small quantity percolating into the soils. A shorter and more unpredictable rainy season, in terms of both amount and timing, have been reported by residents of UER (Dietz et al, ; Badmos et al, ; Limantol et al, ; Nyadzi, ; Nyuor et al ., ; Dickinson et al ., ).…”

“…and guinea corn ( Sorghum spp.) are the most important grain staples cultivated in the upper regions of Ghana, while maize ( Zea mays ), millet and guinea corn are important across the northern region (Dietz et al, ; Gyasi et al, ).…”

Perceptions of Socio-Ecological Changes and Their Implications on Changes in Farming Practises and Agricultural Land Uses in the Savannahs of Northeast Ghana

“…Some of the respondents recounted the effects of the spread and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities such as water reservoirs, dams, and deep water wells, especially from the 1990s onwards. [28]. There are reports of some more than 250 irrigation facilities (e.g., dams, reservoirs, small dugouts) in the Upper East region alone, with each average irrigation facility having the capacity to irrigate about 10 hectares of land [28].…”

“…[28]. There are reports of some more than 250 irrigation facilities (e.g., dams, reservoirs, small dugouts) in the Upper East region alone, with each average irrigation facility having the capacity to irrigate about 10 hectares of land [28].…”