The Role of Local Government in the Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Responding to the challenge of climate change through adaptation and mitigation require the participation of different stakeholders including individuals, civil society organisations and government. This study examined the role of local government in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change in one of the rain-fed agricultural regions of Ghana. The study employed a descriptive research design within the qualitative approach. The data was obtained through in-depth interviews with officials of the District Departments of Agriculture and complemented by document study. The study revealed that there was a high priority on promoting early maturing crop varieties, agriculture extension to farmers and fertilizer use in the districts as agricultural adaptation measures to climate change. On mitigation, reducing food losses was a high priority except in the Central Gonja district where it was rated moderate. The study however, identified inadequate number of Agriculture Extension Agents, insufficient finances as well as logistics and equipment as the main challenges faced by the District Departments of Agriculture in climate change response in the region. The study recommends that the District Departments of Agriculture in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies should be adequately resourced by the central government to undertake their core functions.