Rethinking the potential of urban agriculture as a climate resilience strategy: Evidence from Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Urban agriculture (UA) is increasingly recognized as a potent strategy for addressing contemporary urban challenges, particularly in the developing world, where rapid urbanization and climate change impacts are rising. However, the role and the extent to which UA has been integrated into national strategic policies and programmes remain underexplored in African cities, especially Accra, Ghana. This paper explores the role of UA in building climate resilience in Accra, Ghana, from the perspective of policymakers. It critically examines the extent to which UA has been integrated into national policy frameworks and identifies the barriers undermining its broader adoption and implementation. We employ a mixed-methods approach, drawing on stakeholder interviews, document analysis, and policy reviews to provide empirical insights while guided by resilience theory and the political ecology framework as analytical lenses. Stakeholder perspectives indicate that UA contributes to resilience through localized food production that supports nutritional security, the use of treated wastewater to enhance water efficiency, and the maintenance of green cover that buffers against urban heat and flooding. However, its integration into policy frameworks remains limited due to challenges such as weak institutional coordination, competing economic priorities, and governance inefficiencies. The study notes that UA holds transformative potential for climate resilience in Ghana, but its success hinges on strategic policy integration and robust implementation mechanisms. The paper proposes actionable strategies, including the formal recognition of UA zones, improved cross-agency and ministerial coordination, and the incorporation of farmer associations into decision-making processes.