Browsing by Author "Arku, G."

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

An Assessment of Residents’ Housing Satisfaction and Coping in Accra, Ghana
(Springer, 2011) Baiden, P.; Arku, G.; Luginaah, I.; Asiedu, A.B.
Aim: The present paper is an original research that explores housing satisfaction and residents’ ability to cope with day-to-day demands, taking into account other dimensions of housing and socio-demographic factors. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey (n=562) was randomly administered to residents in three neighbour-hoods (Labone, Asylum Down and Nima) in Accra, Ghana. The association between the outcome variables and housing attributes were analysed using logistic regression. Results: The findings indicate that housing satisfaction was significantly predicted by age, with older people more likely to be dissatisfied with their housing arrangement. Respondents were dissatisfied with housing arrangements if they lived in Nima [odds ratio (OR) =2.75, p<.001], Asylum Down (OR=1.72, p<.01), crowded households (OR=1.158, p<.05) or in compound houses (OR=2.50, p<.001). In the context of housing attribute variables, respondent’s ability to cope with day-to-day demands was significantly associated to their income level. Odour annoyance as an indicator of housing condition emerged as a strong predictor of respondent’s inability to cope with daily demands with OR ranging from 1.68 to 2.33. Those who were dissatisfied with the location of their home as a place to live also reported poor coping abilities (OR=1.86, p<.01). Discussion and conclusions: From the findings, government policy on housing should encourage the construction of more affordable housing units to ease the crowding situation in Accra. There is also a need for the Accra City Council to provide clearer guidelines for both tenants and landlords in response to increasing tenancy disputes in context.
Conversion of Residential Units to Commercial Spaces in Accra, Ghana: A Policy Dilemma
(Routledge, Taylor and Francis, 2012) OOSTERBAAN, C.; Arku, G.; Asiedu, A.B.
Over the past three decades, Ghana’s economy has been subjected to tremendous macroeconomic reform programmes. The reforms in the national economic system were reﬂected almost immediately on the urban landscape. One such change is widespread land-use conversion, mainly from residential to commercial spaces. This study examines the major forces driving conversion, processes involved in conversion, conﬂicts with existing land uses, and their impact on the urban-built environment and the livelihood of actors involved. The study involves 39 in-depth interviews with key informants, with strategic reports and documents used to contextualize interview results. The ﬁndings indicate that the conversion of residential to commercial units is widespread, and that it is the result of several factors, including the desire to improve economic opportunities in light of growing uncertainty, the mismatch between demand and supply for retail spaces, infrastructural development and redevelopment, and interest in expanding population and entrepreneurial activities. The conversion process is occurring informally, and many businesses that operate in the converted properties are small scale. Findings indicate planning implications associated with the conversion process and offer suggestions to address them.
Housing and health in three contrasting neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana
(Elsevier, Social Science & Medicine, 2011) Arku, G.; Luginaah, I.; Mkandawire, P.; Baiden, P.; Asiedu, A.B.
Although the literature on housing and health is extensive, most research comes from developed countries. Relatively little work on the topic has been done in developing countries such as Ghana where socio-economic and cultural characteristics are generally different. This paper reports on primary research that investigates the relationship between housing and self reported general and mental health in Accra, Ghana. The study focused on how the social and economic dimensions of housing, speciﬁcally, demand, control and material attributes (affordability, dwelling type) inﬂuence individuals’ attachment to their home as a refuge for daily living. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a randomly selected sample (n ¼ 562) in three contrasting neighbourhoods. Overall, housing conditions, demand and control residents have to where they live, emerged as signiﬁcant predictors of self reported general and mental health status. The inﬂuence of these variables superseded well known correlates of health status, income and educational attainment, attesting to their importance in a worsening housing environment. The ﬁndings point to the need for policy that recognizes that housing is not only a physical shelter but also an important health resource.
Reflections from Cross-Gender Fieldwork Experiences in Open Markets in Ghana
(nternational Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2021) Sowatey, E.A.; Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H.; Hussey, L.K.; Annan-Aggrey, E.; Pinkrah, A.; Arku, G.
Fieldwork can be an enjoyable academic adventure producing lifelong experiences of excitement and a sense of academic accomplishment. However, it can be an equally frustrating undertaking, especially when carried out in ‘unfamiliar’ environments. This paper adds to the growing number of studies about fieldworkers’ experiences by reflecting on the complexities involved in the process and proffering ways to respond to them. We share our perspectives as three adult African males conducting research in a predominantly female space in two informal markets in Accra, Ghana. To do this, we engage with five issues related to fieldwork: preparing to enter the field; negotiating access; handling interviews; dealing with ethical dilemmas; and exiting the field. We found that being male is not a barrier to conducting research in a predominantly female space. The success of our fieldwork was a product of our ability to adapt, be creative, appreciate our inadequacies, learn quickly and also take some practical and common-sense steps. Our hope is that the insights shared in this paper will serve as a compass for prospective fieldworkers.
The Rise of Gated Housing Estates in Ghana: Experiences from three Communities in Metropolitan Accra, Ghana
(Springer, Taylor and Francis, 2009) Asiedu, A.B.; Arku, G.
In metropolitan Accra, Ghana’s economic and administrative hub, the global phenomenon of the gated housing estate is burgeoning, representing a substantial part of the new housing market. It has a recent history dating back only to the neoliberal era of the mid-1990s. Because it is a new phenomenon in Ghana very little is known about the motivations and contentment of residents, interactions within and outside the gates, and perceptions toward gated residents. This paper takes the ﬁrst step by providing empirical insights from three communities (Manet Court, Devtraco Villas, and Regimanuel Estate) located in Metropolitan Accra. The data suggest that perceived concern for security is the primary motivation for the residents to live in these communities. Contrary to ﬁndings of other studies, the current research reveals that there are appreciable levels of interaction among the residents in these communities, although such interaction exists purely on the economic level, with gated housing estates providing a considerable level of low-income employment opportunities to surrounding residents. The paper concludes by identifying some of the key urban planning challenges that have so far accompanied gated housing development.
Spaces of resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship in informal work in Ghana
(Routledge, 2018-06) Sowatey, E.; Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H.; Mkandawire, P.; Arku, G.; Hussey, L.; Amasaba, A.
Further, the study found that in contrast to the notion of unregulated competition typically associated with street vending, market relations among women traders in informal market spaces are marked by alliances between rival sellers that transcended religious, ethnic, linguistic, and generational divides. As well, a strict code of conduct governs market behaviour, underpinned by an ethos of cooperation and mutual assistance among rival sellers. Furthermore, market women in Accra articulate the rationale behind informal entrepreneurship in ways that align with local and national development agenda. In so doing, the market women lend legitimacy to their trade, demand accountability from local authorities, and oppose repressive practices by the state. We highlight the implications of our findings for city planning and development. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
“We have done nothing wrong”: Youth miners’ perceptions of the environmental consequences of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana
(The Extractive Industries and Society, 2022) Osei, L.; Arku, G.; Luginaah, I.
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has gained prominence across sub-Saharan Africa for generating employment and ameliorating hardships for rural populations, especially the youth. However, the associated destructive environmental impacts raise questions about its suitability as employment avenue for youth when considered within the mining-sustainability discourse. This article contributes to the discussions on ASM and its effect on the environment by investigating how youth artisanal and small-scale miners perceive the environmental implications of their own operations in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with forty-five (45) ‘youth’ miners and three (3) purposely sampled government officials. Overall, the findings suggest that ASM operators do not consider themselves perpetrators of environmental destruction. More importantly, most youth ASM operators seem to lack considerable knowledge on the long-term harm their work may be posing to the environment. Those who acknowledged that activities resulted in environmental degradation argued that their financial needs for survival supersedes any immediate or long-term environmental cost. Given the low level of education among miners about the environmental implications of their activities, the findings call for an urgent need for proper education among ASM miners. Furthermore, in light of the fact that government’s policy of criminalizing ASM seems to constantly fail; there needs to be a shift from criminalizing ASM operators towards collaborative engagements in their quest to protect Ghana’s fragile environment