Land and Climate Seminar - Climate and Landuse Impacts on Hydrological Processes in Ghana: State of Water Resources and its Management Strategies

Speaker: Leonard K. Amekudzi

West Africa's water resources face increasing stress due to climate change, population growth, and land use changes. Rising temperatures, unreliable rainfall, and pollution exacerbate water stress, threatening livelihoods and ecosystems. This study synthesizes recent findings from Ghana to examine the impacts of climate variability on key hydrological processes and inform water resource management strategies. The research integrates diverse methodologies – SWAT modelling, extreme value theory, climatic zoning, and soil and water conservation analysis – to address the region's complex hydrological issues. Studies show that the Pra River Basin, a key agricultural area, is vulnerable to climate change. Deforestation and urbanization threaten the climate and hydrology. Analysis of wet and dry spells in the Pra River catchment reveals an expected increase in both types of spells under various climate scenarios, with the most significant changes projected under high emissions scenarios. Frequent short spells affect the region's climate, and seasonal divergence influences deep convection. The findings about temporal climate variability can inform agricultural and water management practices. With river flows expected to decline and increased demands for freshwater, this study underscores the critical role of integrated strategies. Integrated strategies, capacity-building initiatives, and community-based adaptation, combined with effective governance, can create a resilient future for West African communities facing climate change...