ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLOODING AND FOOD INSECURITY IN RURAL GHANA

The article analyzed the impact of floods on rural communities on emerging food security challenges in Ghana using the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana as a case study. Flooding has become the most destructive natural hazard which affects rural livelihoods, especially subsistent farmers. The data for the study were obtained through the use of the mixed method. 150 households were sampled for the study. This was done using Department of Geography and simple random sampling. The primary data were obtained using questionnaires, Resource Development, interview guides, and focus group discussions while the secondary data were University of Ghana, Legon, acquired from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). The data were analyzed using binary regression and content analysis. Photographs were used to support the findings. From the finding, it was realized that rural communities' livelihood activities were vulnerable to flooding and over the years several households have lost their source of livelihood to the floods. This has resulted in food insecurity. The result of impact of the flood on livelihood activities has resulted in coping strategies being adopted by the respondents in the area to reduce the impact of the flood on their livelihoods.