Looming crisis – changing climatic conditions in Ghana’s breadbasket: the experiences of agrarian migrants

ABSTRACT

Climate change disproportionately affects livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people. The Upper West Region of Ghana is a climate-affected area where agrarian livelihoods have become unsustainable, with migration to the Brong-Ahafo Region (BAR) becoming a key adaptation strategy. There is little research on postmigration experiences in BAR. Using qualitative methods, this article explores migrant farmers’ premigration expectations and postmigration experiences. The findings reveal that BAR is also experiencing environmental degradation, which makes farming less profitable. The study highlights the benefits and disadvantages of agrarian migration as a response to climate change, and the need for proactive policy action regarding climate change.

KEYWORDS:

• Environment (built and natural) – Climate change, Agriculture
• Labour and livelihoods – Migration
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Western Internal Grant; Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship [Grant Number R3652A25].

Notes on contributors

Jemima Nomunume Baada

Jemima Nomunume Baada is a PhD student in the Department of Women’s Studies and Feminist Research at the University of Western Ontario.

Bipasha Baruah

Bipasha Baruah is a Professor and the Canada Research Chair in Global Women’s Issues in the Department of Women’s Studies and Feminist Research at the University of Western Ontario.

Isaac Luginaah

Isaac Luginaah is a Professor and former Canada Research Chair in Health Geography in the Department of Geography at the University of Western Ontario.