Accra, like many coastal cities in West Africa, is significantly impacted by climate change, facing a range of challenges that threaten its development, infrastructure, and the well-being of its residents. Here’s a breakdown of the key ways Accra is affected:

1. Increased Flooding and Erratic Rainfall:
   Intensified Rainfall: While average annual rainfall might be reducing in some areas, Accra experiences more erratic and intense rainfall events. This leads to severe and widespread flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and informal settlements with inadequate drainage systems.
   Impact on Productivity: Flooding significantly reduces labour productivity and disrupts economic activities, leading to substantial losses of assets, livelihoods, and even lives.
2. Infrastructure Strain: The city’s infrastructure, which hasn’t kept pace with rapid urbanisation, is often overwhelmed by these intense downpours, contributing to the severity of floods.
3. Rising Temperatures and Heatwaves:
   Temperature Increase: Accra has experienced a consistent increase in average annual temperatures, with projections indicating further significant rises.
   Heatwaves: The number of “hot” days and nights has increased, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves. This poses health risks, including heat-related illnesses, and can impact labour productivity, especially for outdoor workers.
   Urban Heat Island Effect: Rapid urbanisation and reduced green spaces exacerbate the urban heat island effect, making nighttime temperatures in the city particularly warm.

1. Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion:
   Coastal Vulnerability: As a low-lying coastal city, Accra is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels. This contributes to increased coastal erosion, threatening coastal communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
   Loss of Land: Projections indicate a significant loss of waterfront property due to sea-level rise, impacting densely populated areas along the coast.
2. Impacts on Livelihoods and Economy:
   Agriculture and Fisheries: While Accra is more urbanised, climate change impacts the broader Ghanaian economy, including sectors like agriculture and fisheries that directly or indirectly support many in Accra. Erratic rainfall, droughts, rising temperatures, and changes in marine ecosystems threaten crop yields and fish stocks, leading to food insecurity and reduced incomes.
   Poverty Exacerbation: Climate-related disasters can push more people into poverty, particularly vulnerable households, and reduce income for the poorest segments of the population.
   Infrastructure Damage: Damage to buildings and infrastructure from floods and storms incurs significant economic costs.

1. Health Risks:
   Waterborne Diseases: Increased flooding is linked to a rise in waterborne diseases like cholera and other diarrheal illnesses.
   Vector-borne Diseases: Changes in water conditions and temperatures can also contribute to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
   Respiratory Illnesses: Air pollution, exacerbated by factors like vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and waste burning (which can be influenced by climate conditions), contributes to respiratory illnesses.
   Malnutrition: Food insecurity due to climate impacts can lead to malnutrition.
2. Migration and Unplanned Settlements:
   Climate change impacts in other parts of Ghana, particularly drought in the north, can drive internal migration to Accra. This can lead to the growth of unplanned settlements, which are often more vulnerable to flooding and lack adequate services.
   Addressing the Challenges:
   Accra has recognised these challenges and is implementing initiatives like its Climate Action Plan (CAP). Key efforts include:
   Improving Waste Management: Addressing solid waste and wastewater management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sanitation.
   Investing in Resilient Infrastructure: Developing better urban planning, drainage systems, and resilient infrastructure.
   Promoting Green Solutions: Encouraging green buildings, sustainable energy, and cleaner transport systems.
   Enhancing Disaster Preparedness: Improving early warning systems and financial preparedness for climate shocks.
   Community Engagement: Involving citizens and communities in climate action and adaptation strategies.
   However, despite these efforts, significant investment and sustained action are required to build Accra’s resilience and mitigate the ongoing and projected impacts of climate change.

Written by: Isaac Clottey