Mapping and assessment of coastal infrastructure for adaptation to coastal erosion along the coast of Ghana

Abstract

Globally, coastal managers are challenged to make informed decisions when selecting coastal infrastructure to respond to climate-induced sea-level rise and associated coastal hazards like coastal erosion and flooding. Classifying the types of coastal infrastructure permits the comparison of their potential efficiency, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and long-term response to sea-level rise. At present, information on coastal infrastructure implemented along the coastal area of Ghana is not known thus creating a research gap to catalog this information. To achieve this, we combined satellite images from Google Earth Pro and the use of ArcGIS capabilities to conduct a national assessment of coastal infrastructure and its distribution along the coast of Ghana. Even though similar approaches have been applied in different geographic contexts, this article focuses on evaluating coastal infrastructure in Ghana. Results show that between 2004 and 2022, at least 110 km or approximately 20% of the coast of Ghana has been protected using grey infrastructure, distributed as groins 35.9 km (6.5%), revetments and seawalls 50 km (9%), and jetties and port breakwaters 25 km (4.5%) of the 550 Km coastline. These do not include the numerous private recreational infrastructure that could increase coastal vulnerability. The increasing use of grey infrastructure, particularly seawalls, and revetments along the coast has adverse impacts on overall coastal evolution and causes socioeconomic challenges. This study supports coastal managers to review coastal adaptation policy and develop shoreline management plans for the coast of Ghana.