Climate risk profile: Ghana
This profile provides an overview of climate risk issues in Ghana, including how climate change will potentially impact agriculture, fisheries, water resources, energy and human health. The brief includes an overview and climate summary of Ghana, as well as projected climate changes. Also included is information on sector impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change, the policy context and information regarding ongoing climate change projects in Ghana.
This profile provides an overview of climate risk issues in Ghana, including how climate change will potentially impact agriculture, fisheries, water resources, energy and human health. The brief includes an overview and climate summary of Ghana, as well as projected climate changes. Also included is information on sector impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change, the policy context and information regarding ongoing climate change projects in Ghana.
Ghana is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies and has made significant strides in poverty reduction, but climate variability and change pose a threat to future growth and development. Rising sea levels, drought, higher temperatures and erratic rainfall negatively impact infrastructure, hydropower production, food security and coastal and agricultural livelihoods. One-quarter of the population lives along the coast in rapidly expanding urban areas like Accra, and are especially vulnerable to flooding and waterborne disease. Drought and reduced rainfall threaten access to reliable power sources, already erratic and insufficient. Despite the country’s recent transition to an industry and services-oriented economy, 45 percent of the workforce still depends on rainfed agriculture. The fisheries sector contributes 4.5 percent to GDP and is another important source of income and nutrition, providing livelihoods for as many as 2.2 million people.