Abstract
This paper provides a holistic literature review of climate change and variability in Ghana by examining the impact and projections of climate change and variability in various sectors (agricultural, health and energy) and its implication on ecology, land use, poverty and welfare. The findings suggest that there is a projected high temperature and low rainfall in the years 2020, 2050 and 2080, and desertification is estimated to be proceeding at a rate of 20,000 hectares per annum. Sea-surface temperatures will increase in Ghana’s waters and this will have drastic effects on fishery. There will be a reduction in the suitability of weather within the current cocoa-growing areas in Ghana by 2050 and an increase evapotranspiration of the cocoa trees. Furthermore, rice and rooted crops (especially cassava) production are expected to be low. Hydropower generation is also at risk and there will be an increase in the incidence rate of measles, diarrheal cases, guinea worm infestation, malaria, cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis and other water related diseases due to the current climate projections and variability. These negative impacts of climate change and variability worsens the plight of the poor, who are mostly women and children.
Highlights
In recent times, climate change has gained great attention in global discussion
This climate change and variability coupled with the reliance of the Ghanaian economy on agricultural, energy and forestry sectors makes the country more vulnerable
The fishery subsector is vulnerable to the devastating effect of climate change and variability as the volume of catch is reducing due to climatic factors
Summary
Climate change has gained great attention in global discussion. This concern about climate change is due to its adverse impact on the living conditions of mankind. In spite of the signing of the convention by Ghana, the country still faces the adverse effect of climate change in the form of health problems, climate induced disruption of agricultural systems, flooding of coastal areas which are already undergoing erosion and low operating water level of the only hydro-generating dam in the country, (which produces 80% of national electricity supply), as a result of reduced levels of precipitation [4]. These adverse effects of climate change facing the Ghanaian economy are due to the lack of capacity to undertake adaptive measures to address environmental problems and socio-economic costs of climate change.
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