The “Third Sector” and Climate Change Adaptation Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experience from Ghana

AbstractOver the next 35 years, the total population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 118%, with a greater rise of of 156% of people in the prime working ages. To cope with population growth and exploit the slowly unfolding, favorable change in age structure, countries face a triple challenge. Agricultural productivity has to improve. Prospects are good, though climate change remains a threat. Manufacturing jobs need to be created on a far larger scale than hitherto. Success is uncertain because much depends on foreign investors and the actions of competing low-wage countries in Asia. The third challenge concerns the non-agricultural informal sector, which, even under optimistic assumptions about manufacturing, will continue to provide livelihoods for a large segment of the population. Entrepreneurship needs to be encouraged so that an increasing proportion of family enterprises evolve into larger businesses. There is no blueprint to achieve this evolution and much will depend on the hard work and ingenuity of individuals.

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What role can crop models play in supporting climate change adaptation decisions to enhance food security in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Agricultural Systems ◽

10.1016/j.agsy.2013.12.006 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 127 ◽

pp. 161-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Heidi Webber ◽

Thomas Gaiser ◽

Frank Ewert

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Food Security ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Crop Models ◽

Sub Saharan

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Exploring the concept of place in the literature on smallholder farmers and climate change adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

10.31235/osf.io/6tvm9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Tetteh Quarshie

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Climate Impact ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Place Meaning ◽

Rural Livelihood ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Climate Shocks

This critical review paper expands on the meaning of place. It opens a new narrative on how the geographic concept of place is conceptualized in smallholder farmers and climate change adaptation literature in Sub-Saharan Africa. The review suggested that place is not only the 'where' of a location but a location geographically connected and interdependent to illustrate how smallholder farmers' experiences in adapting to climate shocks interact with global efforts such as improving food security, eliminating poverty and building sustainable rural livelihood. Through the various climate change adaptation strategies exhibited by different farmer groups, the paper demonstrated that people in places have the agency to make choices that control their destinies irrespective of whatever global force overwhelms them. The paper argues sense of place expressed through ecological place meaning shapes people's intuition, beliefs, actions and experiences as illustrated by smallholders' perception of the determinant and barriers to effective adaptation strategies. The ecological place meaning also influences the 'glocalization' of climate impact on agroecological-based livelihoods at different locations and how maladaptive outcomes are perceived. Place gives people identity by (re)shaping actions and experiences and vice versa. There is an undeviating relationship between power, place and people's experience. Further exploration of the relationship between lifeworld experiences, people, and power is central in understanding the meaning of place to smallholder farmers and climate change interaction

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