Climate Hazards in Ghana
In my country, Ghana, we experience several natural hazards, including flooding, drought, extreme heat, and coastal erosion. Climate change has increased rainfall variability and temperatures, which have made floods more frequent in urban areas, worsened drought in the northern regions, and increased sea-level rise along the coast.
The areas most affected include low-lying urban communities, coastal fishing areas, and rain-fed farming zones, especially in northern Ghana. Smallholder farmers, fishers, women, and low-income households are the most affected because their livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources that are sensitive to climate change.
Communities cope with these challenges by using climate-smart farming methods, clearing drainage systems to reduce flooding, and relying on traditional knowledge to predict weather patterns. The government, through NADMO and the Environmental Protection Agency, together with local NGOs and international organizations such as FAO and UNDP, supports communities with early warning systems, disaster relief, and climate adaptation programs.
Overall, like the mangrove restoration case in the Philippines, Ghana’s experience shows that community action supported by strong institutions is essential for building resilience to climate change.