ASSAR (Adaptation at Scale In Semi-Arid Regions) is a research project being undertaken in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. In West Africa, ASSAR focuses on the dry sub-humid band that extends from the Upper West Region of northern Ghana through to southern Mali, referred to as the Wa-Bobo-Sikasso transect. The ongoing RRP consists of an in-depth field investigation of the biophysical, governance, institutional, social differentiation, gender and knowledge- sharing aspects around the identified barriers, enablers and knowledge gaps. It looks at these aspects through the lens of agricultural intensification-adaptation interface in a dynamic and complex development context.

1. ASSAR (Adaptation at Scale In Semi-Arid Regions) is a research project
being undertaken in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. In West
Africa, ASSAR focuses on the dry sub-humid band that extends from the
Upper West Region of northern Ghana through to southern Mali, referred
to as the Wa-Bobo-Sikasso transect.
• baCkground
1• Examine the dynamics and drivers of vulnerability,
2• Explore ways to enhance the resilience of people, local organisations
and governments.
3• Promote climate adaptation practices and policy that are effective,
widespread and sustainable.
• objeCtives
Research into Use (RiU) as key feature seeks to enhance the legitimacy of
findings through stakeholder engagement (ShE).
The research structured in three phases
1• System-scale regional diagnostic studies (RDSs) captures the current
state of affairs and evaluate trajectories of change.
2• Regional research programs (RRPs) on specific research sites uses
Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) approach to understand
adaptation in a multi-scale complex biophysical and political-econo-
mic context;
3• Knowledge synthesis and sharing strengthens adaptation planning
and implementation capacity.
• methodology
West Africa Regional Diagnostic Study (RDS) completed
West Africa Regional Research Program (RRP) in progress.
• aCtivities
Barriers and enablers to adaptation comprise development, gender, and
governance dimensions
Development barriers: Inadequate management of NR; dependence on
donor communities; extensification of agriculture. Development enablers:
Participatory research; prominence of appropriate technology Gender
barriers: Constrained ability for women livelihood diversification; women
limited access to technology, NR and decision-making; male migration ex-
poses vulnerable groups to shocks Gender enablers: Adaptation-entry
point for addressing the needs of differentially vulnerable groups; more
educated and engaged youth. Governance barriers: Incomplete transfer
of authority to local communities; top-down interventions and less local
incentives for managing NR; the lack of coordination within and across
scales. Governance enablers: National policy developed around climate
change; mainstreaming of climate into sectoral policies and strategies;
traditional authorities and religious institutions viewed as credible sources
for mobilizing actions on adaptation.
• results and main aChievements
• Current partnerships and future
engagements for out sCaling
The ongoing RRP consists of an in-depth field investigation of the biophy-
sical, governance, institutional, social differentiation, gender and know-
ledge-sharing aspects around the identified barriers, enablers and
knowledge gaps. It looks at these aspects through the lens of agricultural
intensification-adaptation interface in a dynamic and complex develop-
ment context.
• ConClusions
Funded by IRDC (Canada) and DFID (UK), ASSAR research
in West Africa is undertaken through a partnership among
ICRISAT, Mali; Michigan State University (USA); the Institute for
Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana,
the NGOs START (USA), OXFAM (UK); national and districts
stakeholders in Ghana and Mali.
Barriers and Enablers to Climate Change Adaptation in the Semi-Arid
Regions of West Africa: Evidence from Ghana and Mali
Amadou Sidibé1
, Edmond Totin2
, Sibiry Traoré3
1
MSU/ICRISAT
2
ICRISAT
3
ICRISAT
Corresponding author email: a.sidibe@cgiar.org