Paper short abstract:

Focusing on the Adaptation Learning Program (ALP) in Northern Ghana, this paper explores the relation between NGO programmes and their effect on the development of local government structures, in order to make adaptation interventions more complementary towards national policies.

Paper long abstract:

Following the negotiations on climate change at the international level, the near future is likely to see an intensification of adaptation interventions implemented in the Global South. However, because national governments are often far from ready to implement climate change adaptation projects, most of these interventions are currently being implemented by local NGOs, receiving finance directly from donors. While these interventions aim to strengthen the relationship between communities and local government, rather little attention has been given to the effect of NGO programmes on the development of local government structures. This paper will focus on the case study the Adaptation Learning Program (ALP), a Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) intervention implemented by CARE International (NGO), in regions of Northern Ghana. The paper explores the relation between the governance of the ALP programme and the politics of the Garu-Tempane district to examine if the programme assists or hinders national government efforts. The paper seeks to evaluate the coherence of governmental and non-governmental governance structures of adaptation interventions, as well as making the policy and practice of planned and future interventions more complementary towards national policies, in order for nation-wide adaptation to succeed.