Assessing the Role of Local Institutions in Flood Resilience among Rural Communities in Northern Ghana

This study investigates the roles of local institutions in shaping flood adaptation strategies among rural communities in Saboba District, Northern Ghana. Using interviews and focus groups, the research identifies four key adaptation practices: Off-season farming, Burning Charcoal, processing of shea nuts, and Cattle rearing. Both formal institutions, such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and informal ones, including chieftaincy and family units, were found to be integral in providing resources, governance, and conflict mediation related to these practices. The findings reveal that while institutions facilitate access to adaptation resources, they also introduce barriers. Factors such as favoritism, limited resource distribution, and exclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly women and widows, hinder equitable adaptation outcomes. Local institutions enable community-led responses to climate hazards by coordinating external support and guiding decision-making; however, they also perpetuate social hierarchies that can limit adaptive capacity. The study suggests that fostering collaboration between formal and informal institutions, improving resource allocation transparency, and ensuring gender inclusion in decision-making could enhance community resilience. This research contributes to understanding how institutional dynamics influence adaptation practices, highlighting the need for adaptable, inclusive frameworks that support effective flood resilience in vulnerable rural communities.