Exploring the Impact of Floods on Rural Communities on Emerging Food Security Challenges in Ghana

Abstract

The article analyzed the impact of floods on rural communities onemerging food security challenges in Ghana using the Bawku West District of theUpper East Region of Ghana as a case study. Flooding has become the mostdestructive natural hazard which affectsrural livelihoods, especially subsistent farmers. The data for the study wereobtained through the use of the mixed method. 150 households were sampled forthe study. This was done using simple random sampling. The primary data wereobtained using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussionswhile the secondary data were acquired from the National Disaster ManagementOrganization (NADMO) and Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). Thedata were analyzed using binary regression and content analysis. Photographswere used to support the findings. From the finding, it was realized that ruralcommunities' livelihood activities were vulnerable to flooding and over theyears several households have lost their source of livelihood to the floods.This has resulted in food insecurity. The result of impact of the flood onlivelihood activities has resulted in coping strategies being adopted by therespondents in the area to reduce the impact of the flood on their livelihoods.