Assessing the Vulnerability of Coastal Communities to the Impact of Climate Change ; A case Study of the Anloga Community

Abstract

In recent years, global warming/climate change has caused many glaciers to melt with the subsequent rising of sea levels. This has put many coastal communities all over the world especially those in developing countries at risk. The vulnerability of these communities to the impacts of climate change depends on many factors including environmental and socio-economic factors. This study sought to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities in Ghana to the impacts of climate change taking the Anloga community as a case study. To do so, a case study design was adopted and multi-stage sampling involving purposive and simple random techniques was employed for the study. An integrated vulnerability assessment approach was used and vulnerability indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were analyzed using data collected from both primary and secondary sources. Results from this study indicated that, the Anloga community is highly exposed to the impacts of climate change due to its geographical location. Coupled with a lack of economic opportunities, the community has a high dependency on farming and fishing as a source of livelihood and that many households have no diversified source of income. The district office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) mandated to provide agric extension services as well as the National Disaster Management Organization were challenged with low staff numbers and inadequate financial resources and hence could not provide the needed support to the community. The results also indicated that the community has low awareness about rules and regulations governing the use of the wetland resources, therefore, unpredictable seasonal patterns on the sea and land together with anthropogenic pressure on the wetland would threaten livelihoods and affect their food security.