Turning risk into resilience through flood insurance uptake and the adaptive capacity of urban households in Accra

Flooding in Accra is a recurrent hazard, intensified by rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and climate variability. Enhancing the adaptive capacity of urban households is essential for reducing vulnerability, with insurance emerging as a key but underutilized risk transfer mechanism. This study investigates household perceptions of flood insurance in Accra, explores determinants of uptake among vulnerable populations, and assesses its potential to strengthen resilience. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through 120 household surveys in flood-prone communities and three in-depth interviews with local government officials and an insurance executive. Results reveal low awareness and limited understanding of flood insurance, with many respondents unaware of available products or their benefits. Key determinants of uptake included awareness of flood risk and the perceived affordability of premiums. Despite low penetration, respondents recognized the potential value of insurance in reducing post-disaster losses. The study highlights that for flood insurance to contribute meaningfully to adaptive capacity, targeted interventions are required: increased public education, policy incentives to make premiums affordable, improved access to flood risk information, and efforts to build trust between insurers and communities. By framing insurance as a complement to other adaptation strategies, this research underscores its potential to strengthen urban resilience in Ghana and comparable African contexts. These findings provide evidence for designing inclusive, context-sensitive flood risk management strategies that integrate financial instruments into broader adaptation planning.