LOCAL RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION/COPING STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE INDUCED DISASTERS IN BANKPAMA, WA WEST DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

Various studies have shown that Northern Ghana is one of the most vulnerable regions owing to climate variability. Several studies have also attempted assessing residents’ perceptions and coping strategies relative to climate change in the region. However, the majority have had this done quantitatively, which often precludes vital lived experiences and opinions of affected persons. This current study sought to explore how residents of Bankpama (a drought and flood prone community) in the Upper West Region of Ghana perceive climate-related stresses, and how they deal with them. The study was conducted qualitatively on 30 respondents using Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. It was established that drought, floods, storms and weather temperature were increasing in severity and frequency with drought being the most felt. While some residents had some clues about the causes of these disasters including felling of trees, bushfires and the opening of Bagre dam, others perceived them as an act of God or gods. Local residents coped and adapted by planting drought resistant crops, altering cropping calendars, rearing of livestock, going into shea butter processing, charcoal burning, planting of trees to serve as windbreaks, and depending on social networks for help.