Flooding remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges confronting coastal communities in Ghana, with significant implications for livelihoods, housing, public infrastructure, and human security. (Darko et al., 2021). Among these vulnerable communities is Dutch Komenda in the Central Region of Ghana, a town situated along the Sosu Lagoon and the Atlantic coastline.
In our ongoing commitment to leveraging open data for community resilience, the YouthMappers chapter at the University of Cape Coast spearheaded a project focused on mapping coastal vulnerability in Komenda, a coastal town in Ghana increasingly threatened by climate change-induced disasters such as sea-level rise, erosion, and tidal flooding. A proposal was submitted to the Open Knowledge Foundation as part of the activities marking the 2025 Open Data Day celebration and a grant was awarded, allowing the team to collaborate with residents, community elders, and key stakeholders at Dutch Komenda to gather indigenous knowledge about previous flood events, areas most affected, critical infrastructure, and vulnerable populations. Rooted in our academic training and community-centered approach, this initiative reflects our mission to give back through actionable geospatial solutions. Using open-source tools like OpenStreetMap and SWMaps, the team engaged local stakeholders and mapped at-risk infrastructure, enabling data-driven adaptation planning. This project underscores the critical role of youth-led, open-data initiatives in addressing climate vulnerabilities and building sustainable, locally informed resilience strategies—an effort we hope to share and expand through the State of the Map Tanzania platform.
As part of the participatory mapping methodology, a drone was used to acquire high-resolution aerial photographs of the neighbourhood, which were then used during focused group discussions and transect walks to enable community members to reference their experiences spatially. SW Maps, an open-source mapping platform, was also utilised to collect field-based geospatial data, including floodwater depths indicated by watermarks on buildings, the locations of critical community resources, and temporary flood shelters. According to qualitative data from the study, flooding in Dutch Komenda is mainly caused by prolonged rains, the Sosu Lagoon's insufficient drainage capacity, and choked waterways exacerbated by indiscriminate trash disposal. Floodwaters were reported to reach chest level in low-lying portions of the neighbourhood, particularly near the community centre and along key roadways, causing damage to homes, kitchens, fishing equipment, and food supplies. Women, children, and older people were among the most vulnerable demographic groups. The participation sessions also revealed the absence of a functional health facility, the inaccessibility of a new resettlement site, and the lack of institutional emergency preparedness procedures in the community.
One notable effect of participatory mapping was the creation of a composite flood risk and vulnerability map that combined qualitative insights with quantitative geospatial data. This map identifies flood-prone locations, vital community assets, and potential safe zones, making it a valuable tool for local planning and advocacy.
The project's outcomes aim to contribute to broader discussions on participatory disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and community resilience in Ghana's coastal context. The mapping exercise further raised awareness among the community members on the need to practice basic environmental management strategies. These include ensuring the cleanliness of the Sosu Lagoon and utilising communal labour exercises to expand the channel of the Lagoon. With this initiative, the chapter showcased its passion for using geospatial technologies to address environmental issues related to climate change. Apart from empowering the residents of Dutch Komenda, the project also provided evidence to make suggestions to NGOs in disaster management and government officials. The project's outcome highlights the importance of open data and the necessity of an inclusive approach in disaster management and adaptation planning, where the knowledge and skills of those who will be affected by the plans are taken into account.
In summary, the participatory mapping on flood hazard and vulnerability in Dutch Komenda serves as a perfect example of how indigenous knowledge, coupled with open geospatial tools, can help drive positive change in communities under constant pressure from climate change impacts. This approach is recommended to other YouthMappers chapters and geospatial associations in Ghana and beyond to collaboratively assist local communities in finding scalable means to analyse and address their environmental challenges. By fostering collaboration, community members appreciate their efforts and take ownership of the project's outcome, laying a solid foundation for future interventions aimed at protecting sustainable livelihoods and ultimately building resilience.
Keywords: Participatory Mapping, Sosu Lagoon, Flood Vulnerability, Geospatial Tools, and Community Resilience.