Presentation given by Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Acting Director, Climate Vulnerabilities and Adaptation, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ghana, as part of Adaptation Futures 2023.

1. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
What Science Doesn’t Say: Conducting
Vulnerability Assessments at the Sub-national Level
as Part of Ghana’s NAP Process
2023 ADAPTATION FEATURES CONFERENCE IN MONTREAL, CANADA
ANTWI-BOASIAKO AMOAH, Ph.D
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

2. • Ghana’s population is over 30 million, approx.
57% of which is under the age of 25
• 50% of the population are in the Greater Accra,
Eastern, Central and Ashanti Regions
• Urbanization is on the rise,(50.9% in 2010 to
56.7% in 2021), with almost half of the increase
in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions due to
economic opportunities (GSS, 2021).
• Key economic sectors: service, industry,
agriculture, informal sector
Demographics and economy
Map of Ghana (Source: The Permanent Mission of Ghana to the UN)

3. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
OUTLOOK OF SECTORAL VULNERABILITY IN GHANA

4. Photo Credit: SLYCAN TRUST/EPA Project
Ghana’s Climate Vulnerability Varies

5. Drought/dry spell conditions in Northen Ghana

6. Where is the river?

7. Climate risks (flooding) in the Lagoon Basin
Road under Flood at Bleamazado
Cemetery under flood

8. Sub-national Level
Vulnerability
Assessment
in Focus

9. Climate variables
• Sea level rise
• Increasing temperatures
• Unpredictable or unreliable rainfall patterns
Ecological zones in Ghana (Source: ResearchGate)
261 Administrative Assemblies
across 16 Political Regions in 7
ecological zones

10. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
Why should we consider climate
risks and vulnerability assessments
at the local level as part of Ghana’s
NAP process?
• Climate change is increasingly affecting
communities
• Smart decisions made today can help
prevent social and economic losses in the
future
• By considering climate vulnerabilities and
incorporating mitigation and adaptation
strategies in our development agenda can
increase the resilience of current and future
development
• Considering climate risks helps ensure a
sustainable future

11. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
APPROACH: PURELY PARTICIPATORY

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Knowledge Co-creation

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Bekwai Municipal Assembly
Stakeholder Workshop

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RVAs Data Collection Methods & Tools Used
 Literature Review
 District Seasonal Calendar
 Participatory risk mapping
 Matrix of functions
 Sector focus group
discussions

15. High socio−economic dependence (employment, income, food
security) on climate−sensitive sectors such as agriculture.
Limited alternative sources of water (Groundwater resources are the
major source of water for domestic and commercial activity)
Unsustainable natural resources utilization (e.g., deforestation,
illegal mining, unsustainable agricultural practices).
SOME EXAMPLES OF DRIVERS OF CC VULNERABILITY
AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
Human settlements (villages, towns, cities) are not prepared for the
changing climate (e.g. poor planning, congestion, construction
techniques, poor infrastructure).

16. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
So, what level of details were we looking at/for?
Context specific data and information on:
• the demographic, socio-economic and environmental context, to
understand potential impacts and priorities for the area- either rural or
urban.
• past climate change trends and future scenarios, and research into the
likelihood, consequence, frequency and impacts of each hazard type
on people and sectors within those communities.
Then use these information and data to:
• Identify and prioritize risks, based on exposure, sensitivity,
interdependencies and vulnerability.

17. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
What Have Been Observed So Far From Local
CRVAs Processes in Ghana
 Findings from the assessment indicate evidence of climate impacts in
sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Forestry,
Infrastructure, etc.
 Findings also affirm the gender imperatives in vulnerabilities and that
women and other socially marginalized groups are more vulnerable as
they suffer disproportionately from climate change impacts.
 There is need for coordinated efforts to improve knowledge on impacts
and vulnerabilities and to build adaptive capacity and resilience of
people, households, and institutions at the sub-national level

20. www.epa.gov.gh info@epa.gov.gh
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
WITH GRATITUDE TO THE NAP-GN/IISD FOR SUPPORTING
THE VRAs ASSESSMENTS IN GHANA AND MY PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION IN AF2023