Ghana Research Briefing

In Ghana, our researchers discovered a very low awareness of climate change. You can read the full Research Briefing by downloading the pdf here.

Initial insights from the Ghana research include:

• Many Ghanaians do not know about climate change
• People see a link between tree-felling and the changing weather, but do not understand that trees absorb carbon
• Many people think planting trees will encourage rainfall.

Some Ghanaians believe that other factors, including the will of God are  responsible for the unpredictable weather. One man from Accra commented: "It looks as if God has changed his calendar."

Ghana's climate is changing, and largely becoming drier. As rain becomes less frequent and less abundant, hydro-energy production, Ghana’s primary energy source, may run into difficulties.

When water is not available, agriculture will suffer and migrating to the cities will, for many, be the only way to avoid starvation. A woman from Tampaala (north western Ghana), when asked how she would react to crop failure, said: "I will run away south to look for food."

To develop better understanding throughout the population, rural communities that depend on the land need to be informed about climate change as it directly relates to their lives and livelihoods.