- Fewer than half (46%) of Ghanaians say they have heard of climate change (Figure 1).
- Among those who have heard of climate change: o Seven in 10 (69%) say it is making life in Ghana worse, a 9-percentage-point increase compared to 2022 (60%) (Figure 2). o Three-fourths blame climate change on human activity (66%) or on a combination of human activity and natural processes (10%) (Figure 3). o Seven in 10 (71%) say the government must take immediate action to limit climate change, “even if it is expensive or causes some job losses or other harm to our economy.” And three-quarters call for climate action by developed countries (76%), including by providing climate aid to Ghana (75%) (Figure 4).
- Among all respondents, majorities express support for government policies to respond to changes in climate, including infrastructure investment (79%), investing in wind and solar technologies (69%), placing pressure on developed countries for climate aid (61%), and banning tree cutting for firewood or charcoal (52%). Fewer than half urge the government to promote the use of electric taxis and buses (41%) and to require that households switch to cookstoves that use cleaner fuels (37%) (Figure 5).
A majority of Ghanaians who are aware of climate change say developed countries should join and support Ghana’s government in taking decisive steps to address the crisis, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
While fewer than half of Ghanaians say they have heard of climate change, most climate change-aware citizens demand that Ghana’s government act now to limit climate change, even at significant economic cost. But they also insist that developed countries – the primary drivers of climate change – step up and provide crucial funding to help Ghana cover the costs of preparing for and responding to the negative impacts of climate change.
A significant number of Ghanaians report that climate change is already making their lives worse, attributing the crisis to a combination of human activity and natural processes.
In addition to strong calls for action from developed nations and the government, citizens endorse policies such as investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting wind and solar technologies, and pressuring developed countries to provide resources to support Ghanaians affected by changing weather patterns and environmental degradation.