Authors: Raymond Ohene Gyan, Akwasi Afrane Bediako & Clinton Owusu
Affiliation: Faculty of Biosciences, University For Development Studies, Ghana
Date: 06/10/2024
Introduction
Northern Ghana comprises five administrative regions: Northern Region, Upper West Region, Upper East Region, Savannah Region, and Northeast Region. Approximately 5.5 million people live in Northern Ghana and the region plays a significant role in Ghana’s agricultural sector. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the country’s agricultural products come from the region. However, the region has the highest poverty level in the country.
Due to its proximity to the Sahara, the northern part of Ghana has only one rainy season, and experiences very high temperatures (35 – 40°C), and low rainfall patterns throughout the year. Recently, Northern Ghana has been facing a severe climate crisis due to the savanna landscape of the area.
According to the World Bank, the temperature in the five northern regions is predicted to increase by 2.1-2.4°C by 2050 (Asante, 2014). Climate change is likely to severely impact agricultural production in the five northern regions, with dire consequences on the country’s GDP. As a result of the recent drought crisis in Northern Ghana, agricultural output is estimated to drop by approximately 50%, contributing to a substantial impact on food security, income for farmers, and the overall agricultural economy in the region (Atanga, 2021).
Impact on Agriculture and Food Security
The source of livelihood for the majority of the population in Northern Ghana is agriculture, which is facing difficulties due to climate change. The change in rainfall patterns in the region has significantly impacted agricultural production, as a majority of farmers primarily rely on natural rainfall. The consequences of climate change have resulted in the failure of seeds to germinate and crops failing to mature (Atanga, 2021).
The change in rainfall pattern has led to decreases in water availability, drying up of rivers and streams that provide water for farming, and increases in the cost of accessing the water for farming. The current climate change has significantly impacted smallholder farmers who lack the capital to invest in modern agriculture systems (Dietz, 2004). The majority of farmers in northern Ghana are smallholders and lack the resources to invest in or practice modern agriculture (Atanga, 2021).
The impact of climate change on food security in Northern Ghana is profound. The yield of crops has declined by approximately 30% due to the impact of changes in rainfall patterns, which has influenced the price of staple crops such as maize, soybeans, and millet (Fagariba, 2018). The increase in prices of staple foods, combined with declining incomes has made it difficult for many households to afford sufficient food. Hunger and malnutrition are rising in the region due to the impact of climate change as the majority of the population is struggling to provide adequate food (Fagariba, 2018).
Socioeconomic Impacts
The socioeconomic impacts of climate change in Northern Ghana are far-reaching, including a decline in agricultural productivity, increased poverty, and high unemployment rates. Approximately 80% of the population in Northern Ghana works in the agricultural sector, which reflects the region’s heavy reliance on agricultural activities as the primary source of livelihood.
The current climate situation has resulted in an increase in migration rate among young people in northern Ghana. This rural-urban migration has been linked to the rapid growth of informal settlements in cities like Accra and Kumasi, where living conditions are often poor, and opportunities for decent work are limited (Fagariba, 2018).
Women, who comprise a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (Antriyandarti, 2024). They are often responsible for feeding their families and managing household resources. However, as climate change reduces the availability of food and water, women are forced to spend more time and energy securing these essentials, often at the expense of other economic activities. This situation perpetuates gender inequality and limits the ability of women to improve their economic status.
Adaptive Strategies and the Way Forward
Addressing climate change in Northern Ghana has been challenging, but there are ongoing efforts to address its impact in the region (Dietz, 2004). Through the help of various government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners, some efforts have been made to engage local farmers on the use of genetically modified crops, promote climate-smart agriculture, and improve farming techniques such as irrigation.
Nevertheless, tackling the climatic crisis in northern Ghana requires a comprehensive approach in combination with immediate long-term relief. These approaches include improving access to climate information, early warning systems, and investigating sustainable agricultural practices. Further, there is a need for government and other relevant stakeholders to invest in climatic research to combat these challenges for healthy sustainable development (Fagariba, 2018).
Conclusion
Climate change is a major threat to agriculture and socio-economic stability in Northern Ghana. Reduced rainfall, increasing temperatures, and drought have caused significant declines in crop yields, food insecurity, and an increase in poverty rate in the region. These challenges are driving youth migration in search of better opportunities. Tackling the issue requires promoting sustainable agriculture, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and improving access to climate information. Collaboration among government, NGOs, and international partners is essential for implementing effective, long-term solutions.
References
Asante, F. A., & Amuakwa-Mensah, F. (2014). Climate change and variability in Ghana: Stocktaking. Climate, 3(1), 78-101. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli3010078
Atanga, R. A., & Tankpa, V. (2021). Climate change, flood disaster risk and food security nexus in Northern Ghana. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 706721. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.706721
Dietz, T., Millar, D., Dittoh, S., Obeng, F., & Ofori-Sarpong, E. (2004). Climate and livelihood change in North East Ghana. In The Impact of Climate Change on Drylands: With a Focus on West Africa (pp. 149-172). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-2158-5_12
Fagariba, C. J., Song, S., & Soule Baoro, S. K. G. (2018). Climate change adaptation strategies and constraints in Northern Ghana: Evidence of farmers in Sissala West District. Sustainability, 10(5), 1484. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2018-0057
Pienaah, C. K., Batung, E., Saaka, S. A., Mohammed, K., & Luginaah, I. (2023). Early warnings and perceived climate change preparedness among smallholder farmers in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Land, 12(10), 1944. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land12101944
Antriyandarti, E., Suprihatin, D. N., Pangesti, A. W., & Samputra, P. L. (2024). The dual role of women in food security and agriculture in responding to climate change: Empirical evidence from Rural Java. Environmental Challenges, 14, 100852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.100852
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