ReliefWeb

Introduction

This climate change profile is designed to help integrate climate actions into development activities. It complements the publication ‘Climate-smart = Future-Proof! – Guidelines for Integrating climate-smart actions into development policies and activities’ and provides answers to some of the questions that are raised in the step-by-step approach in these guidelines.
The current and expected effects of climate change differ locally, nationally and regionally. The impacts of climate change effects on livelihoods, food and water security, ecosystems, infrastructure etc. differ per country and region as well as community and individual, with gender a particularly important vulnerability factor. This profile aims to give insight in the climate change effects and impacts in Ghana, with particular attention for food security and water. It also sheds light on the policies, priorities and commitments of the government in responding to climate change and important climate-relevant activities that are being implemented, including activities being internationally financed.

Summary

Climate change in Ghana is projected to affect its vital water resources, energy supplies, crop production and food security.
With its three northern regions the most vulnerable, Ghana is already experiencing increased extreme weather conditions with higher incidences and more prolonged periods of flooding and droughts1. High temperatures will further increase, and rainfall patterns will be less predictable. More intense rainfall is expected to increase erosion, while less total rainfall may decrease the water flow. The country’s vulnerability is largely due to dependence on the production of crops that are sensitive to climate change, including cassava and cocoa, and by a lack of agricultural diversification.