European journal of environment and earth sciences, May 14, 2024
The gold mining industry in Ghana has made a substantial contribution to the country's economic g... more The gold mining industry in Ghana has made a substantial contribution to the country's economic growth by generating diverse employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, in mining communities. This has the potential to mitigate poverty and improve the quality of life for individuals and households in rural areas, where climate change is having a disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that this sector has also resulted in detrimental environmental impacts. A total of 150 key informants in Upper Denkyira East Municipality, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were interviewed using standardized questionnaires to ascertain the impact of mining on the soil, agriculture, and the environment. The study also employed inductively coupled plasma to assess the concentration of heavy metals in soils at a small-scale mining site. The soil analyses indicated high concentrations of heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, nickel, zinc, and iron. The Weighted Average Index, which was used to assess the impact of mining, revealed that communities face challenges such as deforestation, low crop yields, water pollution, land tenure issues, and a high cost of living. The study's analyses of measures to address small-scale mining challenges revealed that alternative livelihood, law enforcement, training and support, and access to mining concessions were perceived as suitable for addressing artisanal and small-scale mining. The study concluded that stricter mining regulations, promoting sustainable mining practices, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land reclamation can help mitigate the negative impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or eco-tourism, can reduce reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.
Decentralization and Local Government Performance: Empirical Evidence From Ghana
Journal of Asian and African studies, Feb 14, 2024
Development agencies often promote decentralization as a solution for poverty reduction and a mea... more Development agencies often promote decentralization as a solution for poverty reduction and a means of addressing the unique needs of local populations in developing countries. This manuscript examines the District Assembly system's effectiveness in delivering services within the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employs a mixed-methods approach to illuminate two contrasting perspectives on the local assembly's service provision. On one hand, citizens generally express satisfaction with the delivery of services related to health infrastructure, education, electricity, and water supply. On the other hand, a significant portion of the population is dissatisfied with the local assembly's performance in governance, sanitation, gender-related issues, and addressing vulnerability. Notably, the study also uncovers that despite the intended objective of decentralization to empower local citizens, a degree of central government control and influence undermines its effectiveness. This study presents practical and theoretical implications and identifies avenues for future research in this field.
Effective solid waste management is crucial for protecting public health and the environment. Glo... more Effective solid waste management is crucial for protecting public health and the environment. Global concentration on finding sustainable methods of handling waste continue to top the list of most governmental-related project checklists. This paper provides a case study on the management of municipal solid waste in the cities of Karlsruhe, Germany and Navrongo, Ghana as developed and developing countries respectively. This study aimed at comparing and drawing lessons from how these two different cities manage their solid waste. The waste management system in Karlsruhe prioritizes waste separation, recycling, and a pay-as-you-throw system has led to an efficient and sustainable waste management system that minimizes waste and protects the environment. Karlshrue's adoption of a continual developmental plan structure focused on integrated WM concepts is credited with safeguarding the long-term viability of waste management in the city. In contrast, Navrongo's waste management s...
Development agencies often promote decentralization as a solution for poverty reduction and a mea... more Development agencies often promote decentralization as a solution for poverty reduction and a means of addressing the unique needs of local populations in developing countries. This manuscript examines the District Assembly system's effectiveness in delivering services within the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employs a mixed-methods approach to illuminate two contrasting perspectives on the local assembly's service provision. On one hand, citizens generally express satisfaction with the delivery of services related to health infrastructure, education, electricity, and water supply. On the other hand, a significant portion of the population is dissatisfied with the local assembly's performance in governance, sanitation, gender-related issues, and addressing vulnerability. Notably, the study also uncovers that despite the intended objective of decentralization to empower local citizens, a degree of central government control and influence undermines its effectiveness. This study presents practical and theoretical implications and identifies avenues for future research in this field.
Grassroots stakeholders’ perception of participation in the Medium-Term Development Plan of District Assemblies in Ghana: The case of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District
Heliyon
Following Ghana's decentralisation policy, the District Assemblies, in consultation with ... more Following Ghana's decentralisation policy, the District Assemblies, in consultation with communities, are required to prepare and implement Medium-Term Development Plans [MTDPs] to ensure the overall development of their respective jurisdictions. However, little consideration has been given to the participation of grassroots stakeholders in the development of MTDPs. Consequently, this study investigates the participation of grassroots stakeholders in developing MTDPs. A cross-sectional survey involving 139 respondents was deployed. The data were gathered using a questionnaire and an interview guide, and it was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's Rank Correlation, and thematic analysis. Results indicated that grassroots stakeholders were aware of their right to participate in the preparation of MTDPs. As such, they actively participated in the process that led to developing such plans addressing community needs. Additionally, awareness of MTDP, involvement, level of influence, satisfaction with the preparation of MTDPs, satisfaction with the quality of participation in the area council, level of confidence in the preparation of MTDP, representation adequacy, and capture of community needs had statistically significant associations at the 1% level with the associations being positive. Nonetheless, the implementation of MTDPs is jeopardised by limited funding, stakeholder commitment, and human capacity. To ensure the smooth implementation of the MTDPs, the Assembly must intensify its revenue mobilisation efforts, depoliticise the MTDP process, and build staff capacity on the involvement of the grassroots stakeholders.
Selection of the final solid waste disposal site in the Bolgatanga municipality of Ghana using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE)
Livelihood access and challenges of coastal communities: insights from Ghana
Journal of Global Responsibility
Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and chal... more Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such studies can help to create win-win outcomes between communities and oil companies and give the latter social license to operate. Also, it will help to identify the existing knowledge gaps that still need to be filled and contribute to the overall management of Ghana’s oil resources. It will further contribute to the government’s livelihood diversification programs in oil-producing communities. Design/methodology/approach The study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil- and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders. Findings Findings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana’s Western Region depend on t...
The paper examined the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (V... more The paper examined the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) in Ghana's extractive sector from the perspective of three selected resource-endowed host communities. An exploratory design involving the use of stakeholder analysis in sequential phases was used for this study. Transect walks, in-depth interviews and community-based focus group discussions were the techniques employed in the data collection. The results indicated that there is a general lack of awareness of the VPSHR by most stakeholders, especially at the local level. Even though some mining companies have signed onto the voluntary principles, implementation and adherence are not adequate because there is no community participation in any risk assessment and mitigation strategies developed by mining companies thereby resulting in a lack of trust in the process. The paper concludes that there is a general lack of knowledge of the VPSHR and an absence of mechanisms to demand s...
Purpose-The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and chal... more Purpose-The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such studies can help to create win-win outcomes between communities and oil companies and give the latter social license to operate. Also, it will help to identify the existing knowledge gaps that still need to be filled and contribute to the overall management of Ghana's oil resources. It will further contribute to the government's livelihood diversification programs in oil-producing communities. Design/methodology/approach-The study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil-and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders. Findings-Findings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana's Western Region depend on the fishing industry as their livelihoods. However, fisherfolks are facing several challenges due to oil production. For instance, the quantity of fish harvest has reduced drastically since oil production started in 2010. Farming activities have also been adversely affected. The study has unearthed that the existing social and economic infrastructure are very limited to support the development of the coastal communities in Ghana's Western Region. The study suggests that to deal with some of the challenges faced by coastal communities, livelihood diversification programs should be introduced. Research limitations/implications-Not every community within the oil and gas areas in the Western Region was covered. Future work will address this limitation. Practical implications-The study has revealed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to expedite the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of communities and capture them in their medium-term development plans. Social implications-The corporate social responsibility programs will create win-win outcomes between oil companies and communities. Originality/value-The study is an original piece of work with data collected from the field. The study will contribute to the efficient management of natural resources in Ghana and other developing countries.
Rising expectations and dying hopes: Local perceptions of oil and gas extraction in Ghana
Energy Research & Social Science, 2022
The paper examines local actors' expectations against actual outcomes following Ghana&... more The paper examines local actors' expectations against actual outcomes following Ghana's oil discovery in 2007 and oil production from 2010, respectively. The paper employed a mixed-method approach and collected data at different times from local actors in six districts located along the coast of the Western Region of Ghana. A Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test was used to compare differences in median responses on local actors' expectations and actual outcomes along 17 development dimensions, both positive and negative. The qualitative data was analysed thematically, and the results were presented in narratives to reflect the voices of the respondents. The results show that the high expectations of benefits to communities and local actors upon the discovery of the oil have declined significantly since the production of the oil. The differences between expectations of benefits and actual outcomes have sparked contentions between local actors and oil companies with local actors employing different strategies to achieve their interests. Contentious strategies are becoming rampant and creating tension in the area. The study further found that local actors' expectations of negative developments such as tenant evictions, restriction of fishing and children stopping schooling measure up with actual outcomes. The paper recommends that urgent legislation and policies that will create space for effective benefits negotiations between local actors and oil companies should be instituted.
The substantial variations in the anatomy, physiology and life-history trait of wetland plants te... more The substantial variations in the anatomy, physiology and life-history trait of wetland plants tend to limit their ability to tolerate environmental stressors and can consequently affect their community composition and distribution. Comparative studies of wetland plants among water bodies of varying limnological characteristics are useful in understanding the different wetland plant communities' responses to different environmental drivers. This study examined how community structural assemblages in six different tropical wetlands responded to environmental disturbances over a 1-year period (January-December 2017). They included three standing marshes (Kukobila, Tugu and Wuntori marshlands); two riparian systems (Adayili and Nabogo); and one artificial wetland (Bunglung). The prevalence index method was used to categorize plants as wetland or non-wetland species. Geometric series, individualbased rarefaction and Renyi diversity ordering models were applied to quantify community structural assemblages, while a direct ordination technique (CCA) was used to determine the how they respond to the influence of environmental factors. A total of 3034 individuals, belonging to 46 species from 18 families, were registered across the six wetlands. Grasses, herbs and woody species constituted 42.2%, 42.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Obligate species constituted 30.4%, while facultative wetland and obligate upland species were 47.8% and 26.1%, respectively. Wuntori marshland (n = 768) recorded the highest species per plot (18.73 ± 2.49), while Adayili riparian wetland (n = 260) was the least recorded (6.34 ± 1.80). Chrysopogon zizanioides, Echinochloa stagnina and Pennisetum polystachion were the most abundant species. Species assemblages were influenced by grazing, farming, fire, phosphorus, potassium and soil pH. These variables explained 61.29% of total variances in species abundance distribution, richness and diversity. The results highlight the threats on the wetlands and the need to protect them from further degradation.
Since Ghana's oil discovery in 2007, the question of how the resource will bene t a ected communi... more Since Ghana's oil discovery in 2007, the question of how the resource will bene t a ected communities and who holds the responsibly is still a subject of debate. Will the bene ts be negotiated by local actors or will bene ts ow automatically from the state and oil companies? Guided by the actor-oriented theoretical foundation, the paper qualitatively examines how di erent actors have emerged in the Western Region of Ghana to negotiate for bene ts from the oil nd. Two qualitative case studies were conducted on sher folks and youth groups to examine the processes, dynamics and outcomes of their negotiations. The results show that disenfranchised youth and sher folks, who feel dispossessed of their livelihood, have resorted to social mobilisation and contentious political bargaining strategies to negotiate for their benefits and to channel their grievances. Alternative livelihoods, jobs for locals and improvement in social infrastructural development are the primary requests of the local actors. The paper concludes that local actors' interests are varied and negotiations are largely unregulated. Local actors constantly accuse oil companies for not prioritising their needs. State coherent policies and structures to mediate the negotiation processes between local actors, companies and the state are therefore recommended to avoid violent con icts.
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Papers by Asaah Mohammed
Design/methodology/approach-The study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil-and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders.
Findings-Findings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana's Western Region depend on the fishing industry as their livelihoods. However, fisherfolks are facing several challenges due to oil production. For instance, the quantity of fish harvest has reduced drastically since oil production started in 2010. Farming activities have also been adversely affected. The study has unearthed that the existing social and economic infrastructure are very limited to support the development of the coastal communities in Ghana's Western Region. The study suggests that to deal with some of the challenges faced by coastal communities, livelihood diversification programs should be introduced.
Research limitations/implications-Not every community within the oil and gas areas in the Western Region was covered. Future work will address this limitation. Practical implications-The study has revealed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to expedite the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of communities and capture them in their medium-term development plans. Social implications-The corporate social responsibility programs will create win-win outcomes between oil companies and communities. Originality/value-The study is an original piece of work with data collected from the field. The study will contribute to the efficient management of natural resources in Ghana and other developing countries.