The Implications of Climate Change on Food Security and Rural Livelihoods: Experiences from Northern Ghana

Climate change has become a developmental issue across the world. This paper examines the implication of climate change on food security and rural livelihoods in northern Ghana. It focuses on the effect of climate change on the principal coordinates of food security and livelihoods of households in northern Ghana. Participant observations and key informant interviews were the main data collection methods employed. The main finding is that communities that hitherto never experienced floods and droughts are now faced with the realities of these natural phenomena and these are adversely affecting food security and household livelihoods. It is recommended that government and its development partners need to adopt a holistic approach to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in northern Ghana if the MDGs are to be achieved. Key Words: Climate Change, Food Security, Livelihoods, Northern Ghana, Social Safet

International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy 1(3):80-95 THE CLIMATE CHANGE MENACE, FOOD SECURITY, LIVELIHOODS AND SOCIAL SAFETY IN NORTHERN GHANA

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Water, sanitation and rural livelihoods nexus: an exploratory study of Wogu in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Improving access to safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene are on the frontline of efforts to combat related diseases and their accompanying effects. Using a household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interviews, the authors explored how rural livelihoods could be improved through water and sanitation interventions. The study revealed a complex web of configuration between water and sanitation interventions and rural livelihoods. The study found that the provision of water and sanitation infrastructure does not guarantee reductions in related diseases and improvements in livelihoods. Although rural dwellers are aware of the consequences of poor sanitary and hygiene conditions, related diseases and the implications on livelihoods, their persistent demonstration of poor sanitary and hygiene behaviours attributable to intertwined historical and socio-economic factors, adversely affect interventions. Thus, the organisation and management of water and sanitation interventions, require an integrated attention to behaviour change mechanisms.Keywords: Water-related Diseases, Access to Water, Hygiene, Livelihoods, Sanitatio