Drivers and coping mechanisms for floods: experiences of residents in urban Kumasi, Ghana

Over the last few years, the occurrence and severity of climate change-induced floods in urban Kumasi, Ghana, have increased considerably, leading to devastating effects on both lives and properties. Yet, policy developments have often ignored the perspectives of residents who have experienced these floods. This study used a mixed-method approach including household surveys with 150 households and 5 key informant interviews to determine the drivers and coping mechanisms for floods in three selected communities in urban Kumasi, Ghana. Rainfall data (2001-2021) were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall trend test. A binary logistic regression was used to determine the enablers and barriers to coping mechanisms for floods. Results showed that the study respondents perceived changes in rainfall and floods through increasing amounts of rainfall, increasing duration of the rainy season, and increased incidences of floods. The perceptions of the respondents regarding rainfall changes were consistent with the analyzed rainfall data (2001-2021) which showed an increasing annual rainfall. A multiplicity of causes including poor design of drains, choked drains, and inadequate drainage infrastructure were reported by the study respondents. Destruction of properties, decreased economic productivity and soil erosion were reported as the major effects of floods. The respondents implemented various coping mechanisms including temporary migration and relying on family and friends to manage the adverse effects of floods. Findings indicated that access to climate information, access to household communication gadgets, age of respondents, and period of staying in the community significantly affected the coping mechanisms employed by the respondents (p < 0.05). Barriers impeding the implementation of these coping mechanisms reported by the study respondents included financial constraints, inadequate support from government and non-governmental institutions, and a lack of understanding of early warning systems. Accessibility to timely climate information should be prioritized to help people improve their information-sharing and decision-making processes in managing floods in urban Kumasi.