Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Some communities along the coast of Ketu South Municipality in Ghana
remain vulnerable to coastal flood events from storm surges, high tidal waves,
lagoon overflow and heavy rainfall. However, the local conditions including
biophysical and socioeconomic conditions that make these communities
vulnerable are poorly understood and knowledge on which community is most
vulnerable is lacking. This study improves the conceptual understanding of
different dimensions of vulnerability that exist across the communities including
Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu and Adina and the various levels of
vulnerability that each exposed community exhibits. The study also provides
knowledge on determinants for relocation as an adaptation option. The study used
data from eight (8) in-depth interviews, nine (9) Focus Group Discussions and
354-household survey to explore local vulnerability issues and to construct
exposure, sensitivity, potential impact, adaptive capacity and composite
vulnerability indices at community levels. Results from the study show that the
communities have different levels of vulnerability as a result of differences in
their exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity levels. And willingness to
relocate is determined by household flood duration, number of livelihoods and sea
defence preference. These results are useful for flood disaster management
programs and implementation of robust adaptation options with inclusion of local
knowledge.
