One climate change-induced impact that is increasingly affecting communities in Ghana is intense rainfall and recurrent flooding, particularly in urban areas such as Accra, Kumasi, and parts of the northern regions. Scientific assessments show that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in West Africa, including Ghana, due to warmer air holding more moisture and altering regional weather patterns. This has made seasonal rains more unpredictable and destructive.
These floods present serious challenges for community members and infrastructure. Homes are frequently damaged or destroyed, especially in low-lying and informal settlements. Flooding disrupts transportation, damages roads and drainage systems, and contaminates water sources, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Livelihoods are also affected, as floods destroy market goods, farmlands, and small businesses, worsening economic vulnerability for already at-risk populations.