Urban Residents and Communities Responses to Climate Change Impacts in Tamale, Ghana

Abstract

Climate change is a global phenomenon, yet its impacts are more localized in vulnerable and poor regions. This chapter finds answers to how urban residents in a Ghanaian city of Tamale have been responding locally to the adverse effects of climate change. Four suburbs were studied using in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions for the data collection. Findings indicate that adaptation practices differ according to individual and household well-being, and largely governed by availability of information and resources. Similarly, reactive and unplanned nature of adaptation strategies used by households have deepened the existing unequal power relations and inequity in the communities.