Discussion Paper

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Social cohesion in the context of environmental/climate-related internal displacement in Ghana

Bonn: German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23661/idp15.2025

Climate change poses an existential threat to individuals and communities across the world. Populations with existing socio-economic vulnerabilities are the most affected, with people already experiencing climate-related losses and damages. Extreme weather events and other adverse impacts of climate change lead to forced displacement of populations to, from and within cities. Hence, building and supporting social cohesion in displacement contexts will be a key activity for development cooperation actors.
This research study therefore explores these questions: How do the elements of social cohesion, trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good, evolve within communities and across institutions in Accra’s informal settlements? Additionally, what role do climate resilience efforts play in fostering or hampering vertical and horizontal social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements?Our findings suggest that limited institutional resilience efforts contribute to weak vertical cohesion between neighbourhoods and city authorities, undermining collective responses to climate challenges. The research emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach, whereby community-led initiatives and state interventions work together to strengthen resilience and social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements.

About the IDOS authors

Martin-Shields, Charles

Political Science

Ekoh, Susan S.

Environmental Research

Further IDOS experts

Abedtalas, Musallam

Economics 

Aleksandrova, Mariya

Climate risk governance 

Brandi, Clara

Economy and Political Science 

Christ, Simone

Social Anthropology 

Dippel, Beatrice

Comparatist 

Donnelly, Aiveen

Politcal Science 

Flaig, Merlin

Social Science 

Fuhrmann-Riebel, Hanna

Economy 

Goedeking, Nicholas

Comparative Political Economy 

Hagenström, Paul

International Relations 

Jaji, Rose

Anthropology 

Kativu, Saymore Ngonidzashe

Geography 

Kuhnt, Jana

Development Economist 

Lehmann, Ina

Political Science 

Malerba, Daniele

Economy 

Mathis, Okka Lou

Political Scientist 

Never, Babette

Political Scientist 

Pegels, Anna

Economist 

Putz, Lena-Marie

Peace and Conflict Research 

Rodríguez de Francisco, Jean Carlo

Ecological economics 

Srigiri, Srinivasa Reddy

Agricultural Economist 

Wagner, Niklas

Climate & Knowledge Sociology 

Yi, HyunAh

Energy and Environmental Policy