Perceptions of Climate Change and Coping Strategies among Farmers and Fishermen at the Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess rural farmers’ and fishermen perceptions to climate change impacts on their livelihoods and adaptation/coping responses in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana. Based on group interviews, key informants interviews, observations and household interviews, the study revealed that local farmers and fisher folks perceived that temperatures have increased and rainfall have also declined. Their perceptions were based on climate related manifestations such as decline crop yield, drying lake as well as other environmental and socio-economic stresses in the communities surrounding the lake basin. Evidence of such perceptions to climate related impacts have led to the adoption of certain coping strategies such as the planting of different crop varieties, fish farming, out-migration, rain water harvesting etc.

The study also analysed monthly, annual and five year rainfall averages based on a meteorological data from a nearby station at Bekwai. The expectation was that, respondents’ perception of climate change would correspond with official meteorological records. However, analysis of meteorological data showed that rainfall has been increasing in the area. Various reasons are provided as to how such divergence between rural inhabitants’ perceptions and climate data might have come about.

The study revealed that farmers and fishermen perceived vulnerability to climate related stresses are as a result of complex interrelationship between the biophysical system and human activities. The study therefore concludes that an analysis of people’s perceptions to climate change require much broader assessment of the socio-economic, belief systems and environmental circumstances of the affected locality. This is because what might constitute climate change exposure and resulting adaptation responses have a strong relationship with other complex socio-economic and cultural factors.