Addressing communication barriers to public understanding of climate change in selected coastal communities in Ghana

A major obstacle to combating climate change lies in bridging the gap between communication and the required public involvement. Using convergent parallel mixed-methods and informed by Afrocentric theory, we conducted surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with residents and community leaders in selected coastal communities across Ghana’s Western and Central Regions. The study aimed to identify obstacles impeding the public understanding of climate-related information, their impact on adaptation efforts, and strategies to enhance climate communication. The findings revealed that language barriers, lack of education, and mistrust in climate information hinder the audience's comprehension of climate messaging. These obstacles result in limited adaptation knowledge, little or no effort to adapt, destruction due to unannounced disasters, and poor living conditions. The study also revealed some community-level strategies for enhancing climate change communication, including the use of alternative media, highlighting solutions, and public education on climate change, which could spur the necessary engagement. Findings from this study offer a model for improving climate communication strategies in similar vulnerable regions, ultimately contributing to more effective and inclusive climate change adaptation efforts in Ghana and beyond.