ABSTRACT

Social cash transfer (SCT) has been recognised as an essential social policy intervention to address poverty and vulnerability. The policy intervention has also been observed as a critical package for reducing climate risks. Using the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program in Ghana, the study investigates the role of SCT to climate change adaptation in rural Ghana. The study employs a mixed-method study using interview schedule and in-depth interviews to obtain responses from 325 LEAP beneficiaries. The quantitative data is analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences while the thematic approach is used to analyse the qualitative data. Chi-Square test is used to determine the relationship between beneficiaries’ use of transfer and climate change adaptation. The results of the study revealed that transfer given to beneficiaries is used to engage in mixed off-farm and on-farm activities to include farm intensification, purchasing of early-maturing crop varieties, shea butter/dawadawa processing and purchasing of livestock/poultry to respond to climate-induced events. The Chi-Square results reveal that both off-farm and on-farm activities funded from SCT are significantly associated with climate change adaptation. The study recommends the development of a robust and reliable targeting scheme for increasing enrolment of the most vulnerable population in rural areas to benefit from Social Protection as that is one of the surest ways of reducing rural poverty and vulnerability.

摘要

社会现金转移（SCT）已被认为是解决贫困和脆弱性的重要社会政策干预措施。人们还认为，政策干预是降低气候风险的关键方案。该研究使用加纳的扶贫生计计划（LEAP），调查了SCT在加纳农村地区适应气候变化中的作用。该研究采用混合方法研究，使用访谈时间表和深度访谈来获得325名LEAP受益人的答复。使用社会科学统计软件包对定量数据进行描述性分析，而使用专题方法分析定性数据。卡方检验用于确定受益人的转移使用与气候变化适应之间的关系。研究结果表明，转移给受益人的资金被用于从事农场和农场的混合活动，包括集约化农场，购买早熟作物品种，乳木果油/ dawadawa加工以及向家畜/家禽购买应对气候引起的事件。卡方检验结果表明，由SCT资助的农场外和农场内活动均与气候变化适应能力显着相关。该研究建议制定一个强有力和可靠的针对性计划，以增加农村地区最弱势人口的入学率，从而从社会保护中受益，因为这是减少农村贫困和脆弱性的最可靠方法之一。采购早熟作物品种，乳木果油/ dawadawa加工品以及购买牲畜/家禽以应对气候引起的事件。卡方检验结果表明，由SCT资助的农场外和农场内活动均与气候变化适应能力显着相关。该研究建议制定一个强有力和可靠的针对性计划，以增加农村地区最弱势人口的入学率，从而从社会保护中受益，因为这是减少农村贫困和脆弱性的最可靠方法之一。采购早熟作物品种，乳木果油/ dawadawa加工品以及购买牲畜/家禽以应对气候引起的事件。卡方检验结果表明，由SCT资助的农场外和农场内活动均与气候变化适应能力显着相关。该研究建议制定一个强有力和可靠的针对性计划，以增加农村地区最弱势人口的入学率，从而从社会保护中受益，因为这是减少农村贫困和脆弱性的最可靠方法之一。