Browsing by Author "Addo, A.I"

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Assessing residential satisfaction among low income households in multi-habited dwellings in selected low income communities in Accra
(SAGE JOURNALS, 2015) Addo, A.I
Multi-habitation is the predominant housing strategy adopted by low income households to address their housing needs in urban areas in Ghana. The recent housing policy draft in Ghana recommends multi-habitation as an urban low income housing strategy. However, a couple of researches indicate that households living in multi-habited houses are faced with a myriad of challenges. One such challenge is conflict over inadequate shared facilities. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, this paper examines multi-habited households’ residential satisfaction with a holistic approach where the characteristics of the dwelling unit, the social networks and neighbourhood facilities are all considered in accessing household satisfaction. Five low income communities in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area were studied. The research found out that the dwelling characteristics have a negative influence on the residential satisfaction of the respondents. Households derived the most satisfaction from community support but were moderately satisfied with their neighbourhood characteristics. The significance of this finding on multi-habited housing development and planning in Ghana reflects in the design, location and maintenance of such dwellings.
Exploring the link between fisher folks' experiential knowledge and climate variability in an urban coastal community In Accra
(2016) Addo, A.I; Codjoe, S.N.A.
The article looked at the possibility of integrating indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge in fisheries management under the scenario of climate change and variability in an urban coastal community in Ghana. The objective was to explore fisher folk's perception of temperature and rainfall variability im- pact on fish catch. Focus group discussions were used for data collection in Ga- Mashie. The results show that the fisher folks, through their experiential knowl- edge were able to tell that fish from marine artisanal fishing sources was getting depleted and this could be attributed to rising temperatures, rainfall variability and anthropogenic activities. However, information on the use of chemicals in fishing and the use of unprescribed fishing nets may have been acquired from public education. The paper calls for a greater collaboration between the local community, the scientific community and policy makers to develop sustainable adaptation and mitigation strategies that will be beneficial to the community.
Housing maintenance in multi-habited low-income houses in Accra.
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2016) Addo, A.I
Globally, the rising maintenance cost in buildings poses a great deal of challenge for homeowners. The UN Habitat Global Housing Strategy framework identifies housing maintenance as one of the thematic areas that require special attention and improvement if the building life will be sustained. In Ghana, maintenance of buildings is often neglected in housing development and research shows that a large proportion of residential buildings in public institutions have maintenance problems. Although these buildings are publicly owned and maintained, they still have challenges maintaining them. The challenge becomes heightened when the buildings are privately maintained by low income households. The paper sought to interrogate how maintenance occurs in multi-habited low income houses in some urban low income communities in Accra. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed in the primary data collection. The results show that multi-habited low income houses in Accra are poorly maintained and this problem is pronounced in the family houses in the indigenous communities like James Town and Tema Manhean. House owners often adopt the reactive maintenance approach, while waiting for the building component to completely spoil before replacing. Housing maintenance is strongly correlated with the incomes of the households. It is recommended that households should have access to maintenance loans and this will greatly improve the physical condition of multi-habited low income houses in Accra.