Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 23 Issue 5

Addressing Security Risk Caused by Climate Change Across Nations: The Role of Non-State Policy Actors Gordon Kofi Sarfo-Adu α & Henry Kwabena Kokofu σ Abstract - Climate change is projected to produce a lesser amount of expectable rainfall patterns, coupled with extensive droughts intermixed with fleeting but torrential rainfall which has implications on food security risks. The paper examines the role of Non-State Actors (NSAs), specifically, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in climate change governance and how they address food security risks thereof. The study addresses this objective by placing a special emphasis on the modus operandi of NGOs in helping smallholder farmers navigate through their farming cycle successfully in the Northern belt of Ghana. The study adopts the content analysis and critical stage review of extant literature and other datasets. The study observes that NGOs help smallholder farmers to build their resilience against the ravages of climate change using a more comprehensive approach along the entire value chain of the farming cycle before, during, and after the crop planting exercises. Consequently, we develop and discuss the NSAs-holistic empowerment framework which will contribute to policy, practice, and literature on the topic. The study contends that the impact of most NSAs in climate change is contingent on the resources available and their organizational prowess. The study argues for the need to forge a synergistic relationship and networks between the public and non-state actors to effectively play a more nuanced role in climate change efforts at all levels which will help address food insecurity in areas and regions currently experiencing drought, hunger, and under nutrition. Keywords: climate change; smallholder farmers; adaptation; mitigation; resilience; NSA. I. I ntroduction ith increased climate change trends, its effects aggravate prevailing socio-economic, and ecological threats in many contexts, which may become a source of insecurity at local and national levels (Pörtner et al, 2022; Malhi et al, 2020). The security threats that may be associated with climate change include adverse effects on food, water, and energy supplies, heightened competition over natural resources, loss of jobs, environment-related disasters, and migration and displacement (Owen, 2020). In many contexts, protracted droughts, floods, and increases in sea levels have had exacerbated influences on socio-economic livelihoods, human well- being, environment, and related benefits, particularly in rural regions (Pörtner et al, 2022). The focus on climate actions and green economic growth has shifted over some time to giving attention to human-related crises (Lawrence et al, 2020). One particular sector which has been severely affected by climate change is the agricultural sector, especially in the developing world (Malhi et al, 2021; Mahapatra et al, 2021). What is more problematic is that the greater population especially in the rural communities has predominantly been smallholder farmers depending on favourable climate patterns (Atube et al, 2021). With the worsening climate change situation and impacts, climate change continuously affects agricultural productivity in numerous nations across West Africa unfavourably. For example, Ebele and Emodi (2016) report that the growth rates of maize, guinea corn, millet, and rice have decreased due generally to the surge in temperature in Nigeria. On their part, Badjie et al. (2019) report how late arrival and premature termination of rainfall patterns have prompted the variation of yields of cereals and cash crops per season in The Gambia. In Sierra Leone, the climate change dangers caused include bushfires, droughts, high temperatures, early rains, late rains, serious downpours, thunderstorms, landslides, and floods (Rhodes et al., 2016). With the trend of climate change coupled with contemporary social and ecological vulnerability, it has been predicted that the Sub-Saharan region will experience the worst impacts (Ntinyari & Gweyi- Onyango, 2021; Ofori et al, 2021).Climate change is projected to producea lesser amount of expectable rainfall patterns, coupled with extensive droughts intermixed with fleeting but torrential rainfall (World Bank, 2018). Situated along the coast of West Africa, Ghana is a typical case susceptible to climate change vulnerability, especially the rural farming communities of Northern Ghana. Essentially agricultural in outlook, northern Ghana is found in the Sudan zone; a climate zone that is found in the midpoint of semi-arid Sahel and Forest zones (Magin 2018). With its heavy dependence on natural rainfall for agriculture, subsistence farmers across the Sudan climate zone are expected to face W © 2023 Global Journals 1 Year 2023 49 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXIII Issue ersion I VV ( H ) Author α : Forestry Commission Corporate Planning Manager. e-mails: gsarfoadu.hq@fcghana.org /gsarfoadu@gmail.com Author σ : Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director. e-mails: henry.kokofu@epa.gov.gh /kkhenry2002@yahoo.com