Effectiveness of Adaptation Strategies among Coastal Communities in Ghana: The Case of Dansoman in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Global climate action plans risk resulting to climate maladaptation and shocks when prudent measures are inapt. Adaptation strategies require multidisciplinary approach from all sectors with periodic monitoring and evaluation which are carefully planned, locally adaptable and results-oriented. For decades, various governments, development practitioners and international organizations have made concerted efforts in tackling large scale climate events. These stern initiatives forms part of Millennium Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13 meant to combat climate change. The increasing demand for frameworks that effectively monitor and examine the outcomes of these huge investments made by policy-makers across regions have enhanced the evaluation and monitoring of various climate change adaptation strategies. This study sought to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of initiated adaptation strategies. The study used descriptive statistics based on informants’ knowledge and experience to assess the effectiveness of adaptation strategies in Dansoman and compare the results with the case of Nador-Berkane coastal community in north eastern part of Morocco where the “no-regret strategy” concept was adopted. Assessing the effectiveness of strategies is one of the key components of monitoring and evaluation process of climate change and is often overlooked, hence, the need for this study. Results from this study based on the informants’ experience and assessment show that climate change adaptation strategies in the study area are not effective and sustainable. This study serves as a baseline information for relevant stakeholders on critical areas, which ought to be prioritized to reduce the locals’ vulnerability to climate hazards. Assessing the effectiveness of adaptation strategies aid in ensuring efficiency and efficacy of planned and already initiated projects. Further research could be conducted on the cost of adaptation mechanisms and willingness to pay for sea defense systems in the area.