MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION INITIATIVES INTO DEVELOPMENT PLANS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL; THE CASE OF LAWRA DISTRICT

Abstract

Climate change menace is fast becoming a leading contemporary global threat to sustainable development, given that the evolving effects and risks associated with climate change are envisaged to intensify in the future. In Ghana, climate change is a serious threat to smallholder farmers livelihoods' and over time, has significantly affected the progress of development right from the grass root to the national level. In spite of this, planned adaptation to climate change which is fundamental for sustainable development, has not been given the necessary attention it deserved at the local level. The study assessed the extent of mainstreaming at the local level. Qualitative methodology was adopted involving the use of interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The findings confirmed farmers' vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Generally, the level of mainstreaming was found to be low due to a number of challenges in the District, which include the neglect of indigenous knowledge, logistical constraints and low institutional capacity among others. Nonetheless, several prospects are available for successful mainstreaming. The District is endowed with rich but poorly tapped natural resources, a well-developed traditional institution, rich indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation, a good link between the state and the traditional institutions among others. To address the daunting challenges posed by climate change to sustainable development in Ghana, it is vital to strengthen and enhance the vertical and horizontal channels of policy formulation and implementation processes. Therefore, the study recommends that, the central and local authorities need to espouse planned adaptation, integrating climate change initiatives in into the contemporary development plans at the local level, employing an effective public private partnership strategy in order to reduce the effects of climate change on livelihoods and development at the local level.