Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (JESD)

Akosombo Dam Spillage: A nightmare that needs no repeat but restrategizing

Anthony Amoah — 2024-08-24

Ghana’s largest source of hydroelectric power supply comes from the Akosombo Dam in the Volta Region. Neighbouring countries such as Benin and Togo have equally benefited from the power supplies from this dam. Unfortunately, due to climate change and other domestic factors, it is becoming challenging for managers of the dam to accurately predict the water levels and the impact of spillages. Although the most recent spillage was underestimated, it has been very destructive, with devastating consequences, leading to the loss of belongings and livelihoods as communities were totally swept away. Using a team of experts and a desktop review approach, this policy brief investigates the effects and suggests relevant policy directions for addressing them.

Prevalence and determinants of Internet use among reproductive aged women in Ghana: Analysis of the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census

Frank Kyei Arthur — 2024-08-24

This study analyzed the prevalence and determinants of Internet use among reproductive-aged women in Ghana using data from the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census, involving 811,022 women. It found that 75% of these women used the Internet within three months before the census, with mobile phones being the primary access device (74.6%). Significant determinants of Internet use included age, education, religious affiliation, marital status, residence, ecological zone, wealth, and employment status. Specifically, religiously affiliated women, those living in the Middle belt, and those employed were more likely to use the Internet, while women in rural areas and the Coastal belt were less likely. These findings highlight the need for targeted policies to promote Internet use among Ghanaian women of reproductive age.

Land Use Competition and Changes in Ecosystem Services in Riparian areas for 30 years (1991-2021/2022)

Theodora Akweley Asiamah — 2024-08-24

This study examines land-use changes and ecosystem services in the Densu River Basin riparian zone over 30 years using LANDSAT imagery and ArcGIS10.8. The classification accuracy for 2021 was 86.14% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.854. Significant land-use changes were observed: from 1991 to 2002, forest/shrubland declined by 24.2% while arable crop land increased by 29%. From 2002 to 2021, forest/shrubland increased by 20% and arable crop land decreased by 26%. Built-up areas slightly increased by 1.2%. Interviews with 448 residents and Chi-Square analyses revealed significant decreases in food provisioning services, particularly downstream near the capital. The study recommends sustainable agriculture and urban forestry practices to conserve forest and water resources, along with tree planting initiatives to enhance ecosystem services.

Forest Management Practices towards Biodiversity Conservation: Insights from Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Sanctuary in Ghana

Fatima Eshun — 2024-08-24

Biodiversity conservation is critical due to global losses driven by illegal mining, population growth, harmful agriculture, and deforestation, necessitating interventions like afforestation and ecotourism. This study aimed to address the slow application of geographic tools in understanding the impact of human activities on biodiversity by using remote sensing and
GIS. Landsat TM5 and ETM+ images from 1986, 2012, and 2020 were processed and classified into forest, grassland, farmland, and built-up areas. The analysis revealed an increase in forest cover from 1986 to 2012, followed by a decline from 2012 to 2020, with classification accuracies of 76% for 1986 and 72% for both 2012 and 2020. These findings underscore the need for enhanced
conservation efforts. The study recommends policies and strategies to boost plantation programs and ecotourism initiatives to restore and maintain ecosystems.

Women Participation in Drumming in the Northern Region of Ghana

Sophia Mayona — 2024-08-24

This study specifically explored the cultural, social and spiritual factors that deter women from participating in traditional drumming practices in Bawku-Natinga. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observational studies with 30 selected members of the Bawku-Natinga community. The study revealed the community’s beliefs regarding women’s participation in drumming, highlighting the spiritual connotation of drums, the perceived adverse effects of women touching
drums and the embedded gender roles that influence these activities. The study not only uncovered the underlying reasons behind the lack of female’s participation in drumming but also proposed tangible strategies to challenge these entrenched beliefs , including instituting training for talented women in the ensemble who are willing to take up
drumming roles.