The Impact of Rainfall and Temperature on Food and Nutrition Security in Bongo District, Ghana: The Voices of the People

Abstract

The Upper East region of Ghana is known to be particularly vulnerable to climate change and its associated impacts such as decreased rainfall, drought and food insecurity. These adverse impacts are skewed towards the poor, women and children. This study examined the awareness and knowledge of farmers, agriculture extension officers and meteorological officers on climate change and its impact on food and nutrition security within the Bongo district of the Upper East region. Four (4) focus group discussions and thirteen (13) key informant interviews were conducted in four (4) farming communities (Anaafobiisi, Bogrigo, Gorigo and Gowrie). Data were collected on awareness of climate change, coping strategies, effect of climate change on food crop production and consumption patterns within households. The data were then transcribed and analysed using Nvivo 10 software based on identified thematic areas. The findings indicated that poor rainfall pattern affected food crop production, resulting in poor household food consumption patterns. Although the level of awareness of the causes of climate change was low among the participants, they had a fair idea about climate variations across the district. High levels of misconception regarding causes of climate change were also reported. Effective education and sustainable strategies are needed to mitigate the effect of climate change on agriculture in order to improve food and nutrition security at the household level.