Drought perceptions, experiences, and adaptive governance in semi-arid Ghana

Drought is a stealthy yet disruptive hazard that erodes the resilience of ecosystems, societies, and economies worldwide. This study examines the perceptions, experiences, impacts, and governance of drought in semi-arid Ghana, proposing strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR) that prioritize proactive management. Adopting a mixed-method case study design, data were collected through questionnaire surveys (n = 120), focus group discussions (n = 4), and stakeholder consultations to gain a nuanced understanding of drought risk governance. Findings show diverse perceptions of drought risks, with many respondents rating it as moderate to high. Notably, cultural beliefs such as attributing drought to divine intervention, alongside climate change, significantly shape local responses. This study identifies critical gaps in proactive drought governance, including weak institutional communication and limited household adoption of adaptive measures. Socio-demographic factors such as household size emerged as significant predictors of drought perception, with larger households perceiving higher risks and a greater willingness to relocate. Surprisingly, no significant associations were observed between household income and relocation willingness, or education level and adaptive strategy awareness, underscoring the role of non-economic factors and informal learning in building drought resilience. Aligned with the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 advocating for proactive drought management strategies, the study emphasizes addressing underlying vulnerabilities, enhancing preparedness, and engaging communities in DRR efforts. By examining the intersection of cultural beliefs, socio-demographics, and governance frameworks, this research provides valuable insights for designing context-specific strategies to strengthen resilience in drought-prone semi-arid regions.