Spatial and Gendered Dynamics of In-Situ Adaptation Strategies and Migration in Relation to Climate Change/Variability in the Yilo Krobo and Wa West Districts of Ghana

Abstract

Climate change has in recent years attracted the attention of many governments and development agencies. Earlier climate change studies in Ghana have often focused on the direct relationship between climate change and migration. Many of these studies have focused on the Northern Savannah zone of the country because of its harsh and semi-arid weather conditions. Nevertheless, scientific data from the Ghana Metrological Agency (GMet) suggest that places like the Yilo Krobo district in the Forest zone also experience the effects of climate change. In light of this, the study examines the spatial and gendered dynamics of climate related migration and in-situ adaptation strategies in the Wa West district located in the Northern Savannah zone and the Yilo Krobo located in the forest zone. The study of these two areas located in two diverse ecological zones of Ghana enabled the adequate assessment of the spatial dynamics of the climate-adaptive strategy of various social groups. To achieve its objective, the study employed the sequential explanatory mixed methods research design for the data collection and analysis. Using the simple random sampling method and the 1967 Yamane formula, the study derived a total of 469 respondents across the two districts. The structuration theory was employed to demonstrate how structures either enabled or constrained farmers’ adaptation strategies and how farmers overcame some of these constraints. The entitlement framework enhanced our understanding of how men and women farmers’ access to resources affects the type of adaptation strategies adopted. Additionally, the foresight framework was used to explain how the effects of climate change interact with other factors to inform climate (im)mobility. Results from the study showed that both genders perceive changes in temperature as well as rainfall patterns and distributions. Such changes and awareness of the climate change effect on farm yields, prompt farmers to adopt certain adaptation strategies. The study further demonstrated that there were significant gendered and spatial dynamics in the adoption of in-situ adaptation strategies. Additionally, most households across districts used migration as an adaptation strategy. Though both men and women across districts migrated, their motivations and patterns were dissimilar. Further analysis indicate that both men and women were probable to experience climate immobility, however the causes varied. The study contributes to the already existing literature on climate change, gender and migration in Ghana, particularly in the Yilo Krobo and Wa West districts. It accentuates the need for a context specific spatio-gender responsive approach to climate change adaptation and migration policies, by acknowledging the varying vulnerabilities and challenges experienced by various social groups in different agro-ecological zones. It is imperative therefore, that policy makers, researchers as well as development agencies design spatio-gender inclusive strategies to address climate change impacts and promote sustainable development.