Rainfall changes in the savannah zone of northern Ghana 1961–2010

Abstract

Rainfall variability is described as an integral part of the climatology of West Africa with high inter-annual and multi-decadal variability of alternate dry and wet periods between 20 to 30 years. Earlier studies have identified a dry 1970s and 1980s that decimated economic activities and rural livelihoods. Post 2000, there have been reports of a recovery with the potential to improve agriculture. This study using annual rainfall data from four synoptic stations in the Savannah zone of Northern Ghana confirms the observed recovery but demonstrates that it may not be enough to improve the regions widespread rainfed agricultural production. Keywords: rainfall variability; multi-decadal variability; rainfall increases; Savannah; Northern Ghana