THE EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE NANDOM DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION, GHANA

Abstract

Drought is considered the most threatening component of climate change and its impact is much felt in societies where there is heavy dependence on natural environment and its resources for survival with low coping strategies. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of drought on the livelihood of rural households and their coping strategies in the Nandom District. Descriptive research design was applied in the study. Questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions guides were the main tools and methods used to collect empirical data. Data analysis was both qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative data were classified into themes in line with the research questions and objectives and tables and graphs generated from it using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software and Microsoft Excel. The qualitative data were analyzed through narratives and descriptions. Simple random and quota sampling techniques was employed to select respondents. The results indicate that droughts experienced overtime in the district have devastating effects on the livelihood of rural households. Households resort to low paid jobs, migration, pito brewing, societal support systems, fuel wood and charcoal burning to cope with drought. Government through the District Assembly and NGOs in the District, though not effective, provide livelihood support programs to households. The study concludes that drought is a real phenomenon in the study area. The study recommends that integrated approaches must be adopted to tackle the problem of drought both in the short-run and in the long-run. Development interventions by national, international governmental and NGOs need to do need assessments that apply rural appraisal techniques to allow beneficiaries to include their real needs into the process.