Comparison with the case study Restoring Hope Through Mangroves – A Story from the Philippines in the context of Ghana
1. Which natural hazards are common in your country? Does climate change impact their frequency?• Common hazards include coastal erosion, flooding, drought, and irregular rainfall.• Climate change has increased the intensity of rainfall and sea level rise, leading to more frequent flooding and stronger coastal wave action, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
2. Which areas face the greatest impacts?• Coastal communities such as Keta and Ada face severe coastal erosion and tidal flooding.• Urban areas like Accra also experience seasonal flooding due to heavy rainfall and drainage challenges.
3. Which communities are most affected? How and why?• Small scale fishing and low-income coastal communities are the most affected.• Their livelihoods depend on coastal ecosystems, so erosion, flooding, and environmental degradation directly threaten their homes, income, and food security.
4. What local methods are used to cope with these challenges?• Mangrove restoration to protect shorelines and support fisheries.• Relocation of homes further inland in highly vulnerable areas.• Improving drainage systems and diversifying livelihoods beyond fishing.
5. Are there institutions supporting the communities? What support do they provide?• Government agencies such as the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and the Forestry Commission of Ghana support coastal protection and ecosystem restoration.• International partners like the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank provide funding, technical support, and climate adaptation programs for vulnerable coastal communities.