Climate Change and Variability in Ghana: Stocktaking

Asante, Felix Ankomah; Amuakwa–Mensah, Franklin

doi:10.3390/cli3010078

Cited by 234 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Despite diversifying on their farm, Asante and Amuakwa‐Mensah () posit that 80 per cent of the total agricultural output in Ghana is produced by smallholder farmers who largely depend on the rain and use rudimentary and manual technologies such as hoes and cutlasses hence the lower yields and incomes. As a better and reliable way of securing their income, farm household diversify off the farm by supplying their labour to the non‐farm sector.…”

Section: Livelihood Diversification Strategies In Rural Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Livelihood Diversification Strategies to Climate Change among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana

Asravor

2017

J of Intl Development

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Employing the Margalef index of diversification, the linear regression model and three‐step feasible generalised least square, we analyse the impact of climate variability and expectation on the diversification strategies and vulnerabilities of rural households in Northern Ghana. The finding indicates households have diversified on and off the farm. The decrease average rainfall increases the diversification of total labour and female labour supply whilst decreasing diversification of cropland and income. Higher average rainfall lowers mean and variable per capita consumption. Extension service is an effective policy variable under high climate variability. We recommend increasing extension services and women economic empowerment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Livelihood Diversification Strategies In Rural Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Livelihood Diversification Strategies to Climate Change among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana

Asravor

2017

J of Intl Development

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“…Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been identified as one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of changing climate as many areas inherently receive unpredictable rainfall (IPCC 2014, Serdeczny et al 2017, which has been evident in several recent studies (Asante andAmuakwa-Mensah 2015, Angula andKaundjua 2016). SSA's economy remains strongly dependant on agriculture relative to other regions (Livingston et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

Williams

Abu

Simpson

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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The impacts of changing climate on agriculture have consequences on livelihoods and food security. Smallholder farmers, who have heterogeneous farming systems and limited resources, compounded with multiple risks, are greatly affected. There has been limited research showing how vulnerability assessments have evolved in the smallholder agricultural sector of Africa overtime. This study systematically reviewed recent publications on vulnerability studies, especially among smallholder agricultural systems, to provide an overview of current developments in theory and practice of vulnerability in Africa over the last decade. The findings indicate an increase in vulnerability assessments undertaken across Sub Saharan Africa. Despite progress made in the application of enhanced conceptual frameworks and methods, at least four important gaps exist in the assessment process namely, inadequate engagement of local perspectives and knowledge, lack of clarity in the operationalisation of vulnerability, lack of comprehensiveness of measurement criteria employed and relevance of assessment in decision support. Notwithstanding these challenges, there exist opportunities to geographically improve assessments across Africa. In order to produce knowledge to traverse projected changes in climate systems for agricultural economies and to ensure sustainable smallholder livelihoods, we suggest that future research efforts should be oriented towards providing more information to enlighten science, policy and practice for informed decision-making and evidenced based policies. This requires evaluation of adaptation capacity as a critical aspect of vulnerability assessment to provide guidance and inform effective decision-making on allocation of scarce resources (prioritization); understand trade-offs management and implementation to build understanding among stakeholders that guide possible pathways to reduce vulnerability.

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“…These sectors were selected because of the considerable threat they face from climate change and because of the significant role the natural resource base plays in supporting the livelihoods of the majority of Ghana's population [36]. Indeed, these sectors are particularly critical for the livelihoods of natural resource-dependent communities [36] and contribute significantly to Ghana's GDP, so any threat from climate change can present considerable challenges to the country's economy. Additionally, these sectors can directly or indirectly contribute to mitigation actions through carbon sequestration and emission reduction.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Coherence between Sector Policies and Climate Compatible Development: Opportunities for Triple Wins

2017

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Climate Compatible Development (CCD) aims to deliver adaptation and mitigation without compromising development progress. To date, adaptation, mitigation and development related to key climate-sensitive sectors have often been treated separately. This paper uses qualitative document analysis, content analysis, expert interviews and a multi-stakeholder workshop to: examine the extent to which policies in climate-sensitive sectors align in framing adaptation, mitigation and development action; and identify key areas of policy coherence in Ghana. The paper answers the following questions: (i) To what extent are Ghana's agriculture, energy, water, forest and wildlife sector policies aligned with climate adaptation, mitigation and development? (ii) What is the extent of policy coherence amongst climate-sensitive sector policies? (iii) Where are the key intervention points available to enhance CCD activities? Findings demonstrate that Ghana's climate-sensitive sector policies in agriculture, water, energy, forest and wildlife arenas have elements that demonstrate good alignment with adaptation, mitigation, and development priorities. However, as yet, there is only "limited coherence" between climate-sensitive sector policies. The paper identifies the following intervention points: (i) the need to attach greater importance to the threat posed by climate change to agriculture; and (ii) the need to address the lack of inter-agency and inter-ministerial approaches for building partnerships with other stakeholders. Multi-stakeholder workshop discussions highlighted significant challenges relating to limited coordination amongst institutions and agencies, limited institutional capacity and a lack of resources in ensuring coherence. This requires strengthening of national institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide appropriate mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration amongst climate-sensitive sectors to deliver "triple wins". The EPA could exert greater influence by nominating "climate champions" in sector ministries.

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Climate Change and Variability in Ghana: Stocktaking

Cited by 234 publications

References 17 publications

Livelihood Diversification Strategies to Climate Change among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana

Livelihood Diversification Strategies to Climate Change among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana

A systematic review of how vulnerability of smallholder agricultural systems to changing climate is assessed in Africa

Assessing Coherence between Sector Policies and Climate Compatible Development: Opportunities for Triple Wins

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