“The Rains No Longer Come Like Before”: Climate Change in My Community, Lume Atsyame

In Lume Atsyame, a small farming community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, the land has always been the backbone of livelihoods. Every household depends on rain-fed agriculture. Today, however, residents say changing climate conditions are threatening their way of life.

Over the years, the community has experienced rising temperatures and increasing climate variability. The heat has become more intense, while rainfall patterns have become erratic and unreliable. The once predictable rainy seasons are now marked by delays, early cessation, or uneven distribution, making it difficult for farmers to plan their activities.

In some cases, rainfall now occurs in extreme events rather than steady patterns. Heavy rains are often accompanied by fierce winds, which flatten plantain and maize fields before they reach maturity. These climate extremes are destroying crops and undermining food production, leaving farmers with significant losses.

Elders in the community recall a more stable climate system. They describe a time when rainfall was consistent, ecosystems were healthier, and rivers flowed throughout the year. “In those days, we could drink from the river without worry,” one elder said, reflecting on the past condition of local water sources.

Today, these water bodies are under stress. Deforestation—from the cutting of trees for firewood—has led to the degradation of surrounding ecosystems. Without tree cover, riverbanks are exposed to direct sunlight, increasing evaporation and contributing to the drying up of streams. The quality of available water has also declined, posing risks to public health.

While some residents attribute these changes to natural or spiritual causes, there is growing recognition that human activities are contributing to environmental degradation. However, climate awareness remains low. Many residents have little or no formal education, which limits access to information about environmental sustainability and the long-term impacts of their actions.

These experiences reflect the broader realities of Climate Change, where both global factors and local actions interact to shape environmental outcomes. In Lume Atsyame, the effects of climate change are evident in our surroundings, from the land to the water, and are increasingly part of our daily reality.

The socio-economic impacts are significant. Declining crop yields are affecting food security and household incomes, while water scarcity and contamination are increasing health vulnerabilities. The community’s resilience is being evaluated as traditional farming systems struggle to cope with these changes.

Addressing these challenges will require a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Raising awareness through community-based education and local engagement is essential, especially for residents with limited formal schooling. Reforestation efforts can help restore ecosystems, while protecting water bodies can reduce further degradation. Farmers also need support to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices that can withstand changing weather patterns.

Institutions such as the Ghana Meteorological Agency have a key role to play in providing climate information and early warnings in accessible forms to support local decision-making.

For Lume Atsyame, the path forward lies in understanding the link between human activity and environmental change, and in building resilience against the growing impacts of climate change. Without action, the challenges facing the community are likely to intensify in the years ahead.

Article is written by Godsway Adzornu, a national service personnel under the Communication and Public Engagement Office, Africa Climate Collaborative at the University of Ghana.