Climate and Livelihood Change in North East Ghana

Abstract

The case study area of North-east Ghana consists of a densely populated zone in Upper East Region and a less densely populated area in Northern Region. It was selected as an example of a rural area with sub-humid conditions, a relatively high average population density and relatively severe land degradation. A major part of the chapter describes the lack of consistency between rainfall data and crop yield data and tries to explain farmers’ behaviour as a constant adaptation to the rainfall situation, embedded in a volatile socio-economic environment. Farmers acknowledge climate change, and they, government institutions and non-governmental agencies have responded with more emphasis on water provision and land management improvements and with more emphasis on sector and geographical differentiation, including much more reliance on migration and remittance income.