Gendered Pathways to Climate Adaptation Among Smallholder Farmers in Rural Ghana: Perspectives From Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality

ABSTRACT Climate change poses significant threats to smallholder farmers in rural Ghana, especially in the Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality. While many studies explore gender differences in climate change perceptions and adaptation strategies, few examine how gendered access to resources and institutional systems shape distinct adaptation pathways under observed climate change. Guided by the Feminist Political Ecology and the Gender Responsive Climate Action Framework, this study addresses this gap by combining long‐term climate trend analysis with gender‐disaggregated socio‐economic data. The study employeda mixed‐methods approach, including 200 household surveys, eight focus group discussions and four key informant interviews. The Mann–Kendall trend test, Relative Importance Index (RII), Binary Logistic Regression and Weighted Average Index (WAI) were employed, alongside thematic analysis. Results showed a decrease in mean annual rainfall ( p > 0.05) and an increase in mean annual temperature ( p < 0.05). Both men and women similarly perceived climate shifts through early rainfall onset (Men: 93%, Women: 96%) and rising temperatures (Men: 98%, Women: 97%), and their impacts, including crop failure and pest outbreaks. Key on‐farm solutions included pesticide use (RII = 0.433) and crop diversification (RII = 0.398), while off‐farm responses included food rationing (RII = 0.388) and livelihood diversification (RII = 0.325). Socio‐economic factors, such as gender, significantly influenced the adoption of indigenous knowledge and migration. Barriers included high seed costs (WAI = 1.970) and lack of irrigation (WAI = 1.965). The findings highlight that adaptation outcomes are shaped less by the practices themselves than by unequal institutional and resource access; therefore, the study recommends gender‐responsive adaptation policies.