Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ... - ITU

c) Health
The deterioration of health conditions is closely linked to higher incidence of diseases that are carried in the
water, food or air. According to a study commissioned by The World Bank, increased heat stress and
drought-related deaths in both humans and livestock are already occurring in the extreme north of Ghana 43 .
Further risks are related to the higher incidence of malaria and parasitic infections that are linked to
flooding.
In spite of the existence of common sectoral challenges, it is important to note that climatic impacts are not
uniform across the country, adding to the complexity of adaptation challenges. Research has identified that
current climatic changes and variability have different effects on diverse ecological zones in Ghana’s. Areas
such as savannah, transition and coastal areas face distinctive vulnerabilities and climatic priorities, as
reflected in Table 4.
Table 4. “Some prevailing climatic impacts in three ecological zones in Ghana”
Savannah Transition Coastal
Stormy weather and destruction Reduced water volume Massive erosion displacing
settlements
Top soil erosion and soil infertility Changes in rainfall patterns, affecting
planting seasons
Dwindling fishing stock
Increased food insecurity and
malnutrition
Increasing conflicts around
resources such as land
Increased migration
Source: Yaro, J. (2010). p. 25.
Water stress affecting soil fertility
Thick forests transiting into shrubs
Extreme heat and waterborne
diseases increased
Drastic reduction in the volume of
water
Severe flooding along urban cities and
towns
Nexus of poverty, poor infrastructure
and climate impacts
These examples, among others that have been identified through recent studies in the field (including
climatic effects on biodiversity and natural resources, transportation and infrastructure), indicate that
climate change can significantly impair Ghana’s development aspirations. Thus, efforts aimed at improving
the country’s capacity to withstand, recover and adjust to the effects of climate change, are being
undertaken at the highest political level.
The following section presents the main policies and strategies that Ghana has implemented in the climate
change adaptation field. An overview of Ghana’s adaptation policies will allow situating the role and
potential of ICT tools in climate change strategies, which will be the focus of subsequent sections of the
report.
2.3 Climate change adaptation in Ghana
Ghana has been pro-active in the field of climate change for many years, playing a significant role in
international negotiations (including hosting several international workshops and conferences in the fields
of climate change adaption and mitigation).
The country ratified the UNFCCC in 1995 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. The articles of the UNFCCC
stipulate general commitments and specific obligations that Parties must fulfil, including specific actions
towards the achievement of climate change awareness raising and strategizing, mitigation and adaptation
goals (Box 11).
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