Local Indicator-Based Flood Vulnerability Indices and Predictors of Relocation in the Ketu South Municipal Area of Ghana

Daystar Babanawo, Precious Agbeko D. Mattah, Samuel K. M. Agblorti, Emmanuel K. Brempong, Memuna Mawusi Mattah and Denis Worlanyo Aheto
Additional contact information
Daystar Babanawo: Centre for Coastal Management—Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
Precious Agbeko D. Mattah: Centre for Coastal Management—Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
Samuel K. M. Agblorti: Centre for Coastal Management—Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
Emmanuel K. Brempong: Centre for Coastal Management—Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
Memuna Mawusi Mattah: Department of Environment and Development Studies, Central University, Tema PMB TF253, Ghana
Denis Worlanyo Aheto: Centre for Coastal Management—Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: Certain communities along the coast of Ketu South Municipality in south-eastern Ghana, remain vulnerable to coastal flood events from storm surges, high tidal waves, lagoon overflow, and heavy rainfall. However, the local conditions that make these communities vulnerable are poorly understood and knowledge on which communities are most vulnerable is lacking. This study improves the conceptual understanding of different dimensions of vulnerability that exist across the communities and the various levels of vulnerability that each exposed community exhibits. The study surveyed 354 household heads from selected flood-prone communities including Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina. The survey collected data on demographic, social, economic, physical, exposure, and adaptive capacity to flood hazards. The data was then used to construct composite vulnerability indices at community levels. Results from the study demonstrate that the communities have different levels of vulnerability as a result of differences in their exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity levels. The willingness to relocate as an adaptation strategy was determined by household flood duration, number of livelihoods, and sea defence preference. These results are relevant to flood disaster management programs and the adoption of effective adaptation measures that take into account local knowledge. The findings imply that interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability should take into account household characteristics, as well as flood exposure, and adaptive capacity factors.

Keywords: climate change; coastal flood; vulnerability indices; adaptation options; Ketu South municipal; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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