Drought's Psychological Toll on Farmers in Ghana

Droughts have long been a hardship for farmers in Ghana's semi-arid north, where erratic rainfall and agriculture drive rural economies. While the economic and environmental effects are well-documented, the psychological toll on farmers and their families remains underestimated. A recent study in the Talensi district of Ghana's Upper East region assessed the impact of drought on the mental wellbeing of peri-urban farmers in semi-arid Ghana, revealing a strong link between drought and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that prolonged periods of drought were strongly linked to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among farmers, with 507 farmers participating in the survey between September 2022 and March 2023.
• Farmers experiencing longer or more intense drought periods were more likely to report psychological distress, with symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, persistent worry, and suicidal thoughts.
• The study also found that personal social capital, which refers to the resources individuals can access through their social relationships, acted as a buffer and reduced the severity of mental health impacts.
• Social capital, including relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and community groups, was found to moderate the relationship between drought and mental health outcomes.
• The study concludes that combining social capital with other forms of capital and sustainable livelihood diversification programs could reduce the underlying issues that make people vulnerable to the mental health impacts of drought.
• Enhancing social capital, through initiatives such as savings groups, farmer cooperatives, or traditional mutual aid networks, can improve psychological resilience and is a critical component of climate adaptation planning.

Statistics:

• 507 farmers participated in the survey.
• 950mm is the average annual rainfall in the Talensi district.
• 2 communities, Awaredone and Yameriga, were selected for the study.
• 100% of farmers reported symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress during prolonged drought periods.

Sources:

• The Conversation -- Africa (2) -- By Seth Asare Okyere, Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh
• "Drought can make farmers feel worried and hopeless: Ghana study finds social networks help" - https://theconversation.com/drought-can-make-farmers-feel-worried-and-hopeless-ghana-study-finds-social-networks-help-262627