Abstract

The study investigated the impact of climate change on rainfall trends in Adidome, Akatsi, Akosombo, Akuse, Ho, Kete-Krachi, and Sogakope using the Mann-Kendall trend analysis test. Rainfall data for 33 years, ranging from 1990 to 2022, was obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. The data was analysed to determine monthly and annual rainfall trends for the seven locations. For the monthly rainfall, Adidome, Akosombo, and Kete-Krachi showed declining rainfall, with the significant decline of P<0.05 being recorded in Akosombo. Akatsi, Akuse, Ho, and Sogakope each indicated increasing rainfall, though not significant with p>0.05. For annual rainfall trends, there was declining rainfall for Adidome, Akosombo, and Kete-Krachi. Apart from Adidome, where the annual rainfall decline is statistically significant with p<0.05, the annual rainfall declines in Akosombo and Ketekrachi are not statistically significant with p>0.05. Although there has been a general rainfall decline in these areas, rainfall in Akosombo increased sharply in the years 2021 and 2022, potentially indicating a return to wetter conditions. Akatsi, Akuse, Ho, and Sogakope recorded an annual increase in rainfall, though not significant with p>0.05 for each. The inhabitants of these locations depend heavily on rainfall for their livelihoods, and it is necessary to continuously monitor the rainfall trends in these locations to make timely strategic decisions that may affect their livelihood, which are mainly crop production and livestock.

Key words: Mann-Kendall, climate change, livelihood, rainfall, trends.