Dwindling water supply and its socio-economic impact in Sekyere Kumawu District in Ashanti Region of Ghana: public opinion on the role of climate change

Abstract

Water remains a vital natural resource necessary for sustaining life and development. Globally there has been increasing demand for water due to increasing population. Water demand has worsened in certain regions where in lieu of climate change water resources are declining. This has created livelihood impacts. Using in-depth interviews and household surveys of household heads and opinion leaders in the district, the study ascertained public opinion on the role of climate change on dwindling domestic water provision and how inadequate water supply affects the socio-economic lives of people at household level in Sekyere-Kumawu District in Ghana. Rising temperature, declining rainfall amounts and stormy weather were some of the perceived changing climatic elements explaining the reduction in the water resource base of the district. Shortage in water supply has great impacts on socio-economic livelihood and health of residents with greater impact on women and children. Households attributed low crop yields, the prevalence of water borne diseases and poverty as some consequences of low water supply owing to bad climatic conditions. The study recommends the development of district level climate change strategies, incorporating them into the overall national climate change policy to ensure a comprehensive climatic resilient economy to promote sustainable growth and development.