Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Determinant Factors among Pastoralists in Ghana

Climate change poses a significant threat to pastoral production systems, particularly smallholder farming systems in arid and semi-arid lands. The Wa East District's pastoral system has historically adapted to environmental shifts, but climate change necessitates innovative strategies. This study explores the adaptation techniques employed by pastoralists in this context, shedding light on the complex interplay between climate change, livelihoods, and resilience. A mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, was used to collect data from 387 pastoralists. The findings reveal that pastoralists have developed various coping mechanisms in response to climate change, influenced by factors such as gender, age, household size, and access to land. The study recommends integrating local adaptation strategies and climate change knowledge into national, local, and sectoral policies, including disaster risk reduction and sustainable livestock and agriculture practices, to promote resilient pastoralism.