Browsing by Author "Lawson, E.T."
Now showing 1 - 19 of 19
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Adaptation to climate change or non-climatic stressors in semi-arid regions? Evidence of gender differentiation in three agrarian districts of Ghana(Elsevier, Science Direct - Environmental Development, 2016-08) Ahmed, A.; Lawson, E.T.; Mensah, A.; Gordon, C.; Padgham, J.With the increasing impacts of climate change in Africa, a relationship between rainfall and yields in semi-arid Ghana has been observed. Drawing insights from three agrarian societies in the semi-arid region of Ghana using qualitative research methods, the study reports how people currently deal with climate variability as insight on how they will deal with climate change in the future. The findings indicate wide gender inequality in decision making processes and land access resulting from patriarchal local customs and institutions that shape adaptation responses of different vulnerable social groups to climatic or non-climatic stressors. Different adaptation practices of groups indicate that both climatic and non-climatic stressors shape the kind of responses that groups adopt. From the current adaptation practices, efforts to improve adaptation to future climate change at local levels must give attention to the nexus of both climatic and non-climatic stressors, gender, differential vulnerabilities and other subjectivities that produce a particular adaptation practice in a given place.Item Assessing nuanced social networks and its implication for climate change adaptation in northwestern Ghana(World Development Perspectives, 2022) Alare, R.S.; Lawson, E.T.; Mensah, A.; et al.The current uncertainty, frequency and intensity of climate change impacts limit opportunities for climate adaptation among smallholder farmers in developing countries. This paper seeks to critically examine how gendered relations at the household level influence access to social networks for climate change adaptation in northwestern Ghana. By doing so, the study contributes to an improved understanding of how inter-gender dynamics shape adaptive capacities among vulnerable groups. Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and key informant interviews, a total sample size of 156 respondents were studied. The study also employed an intersectional framework and a network analysis to examine the nuanced networks of smallholder farmer households. Findings revealed that the interplay of age, marital status and educational levels influenced access to social networks for support in minimising climate risk. As such, promoting adaptation actions without addressing structural and relational inequalities within vulnerable communities may deepen existing inequalities.Item Assessment of Marine Debris and Water Quality Along the Accra-Tema Coastline of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Himans, I.P.; Nunoo, F.K.E.; Lawson, E.T.With an estimated population of 3 million people living along Accra's coast, Ghana is facing major challenges in managing its waste especially solid waste in metropolitan areas. A survey of marine debris was therefore carried out over a period of sixteen weeks at four beaches along the Accra - Tema coastline namely Sakumono, La Pleasure, Mensah Guinea and Korle Gonno beach. The main objective of the study was to determine the beach and water quality at the study locations. A 10 x100 m belt transect was demarcated on each beach. Accumulated debris and one litre seawater samples were collected from the belt transects on all four beach sites on a weekly basis and analysed. A total of 18241 items of marine debris which weighed 297.59 kg were collected from the four beaches. Out of 51 individual marine debris items identified, 9 were found on the world‘s ̳dirty dozen‘ list. Plastic materials dominated the debris collected accounting for 63.72% of total debris. Marine debris from land- based source formed the largest proportion of debris collected (93% of items/m 2 and 85% kg/m 2 ). Water quality analysis revealed high mean levels of coliforms and E.coli above World Health Organisation (WHO) levels on all four beach locations. A social survey that mainly targeted beach users was also conducted over the same period. Respondents were in the habit of littering and acknowledged marine debris as a problem. They also believed that Ghana‘s beaches are not clean and identified beach users as the main source of litter generation on the beaches. Intensive education remains key to combating the issue of debris on Ghana‘s coastlines. Water quality levels should be constantly monitored to avoid disease outbreaks. Where the levels are deemed life threatening, the beach should be closed off to the general public until such a time when it is safe. Ultimately, enforcement of appropriate policy initiatives and continuous monitoring is vital to addressing marine debris along Ghana‘s coastlines.Item Avoiding bites and scratches? Understanding the public health implication of human-bat interactions in Ghana(Zoonoses and Public Health, 2019-02) Lawson, E.T.; Ayivor, J.S.; Ohemeng, F.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.Zoonotic pathogens cause an estimated 70% of emerging and re‐emerging infectious diseases in humans, affecting various aspects of human development on a global scale. The significance of bats as a source of emerging infectious diseases is being progressively appreciated. This study was undertaken post‐Ebola virus disease in West Africa and assessed the public health implications of human–bat interactions by exploring the reasons for contact between humans and bats, as well as reported actions taken upon experiencing bat bites or scratches. The paper highlights the nuances of human–bat interactions, stressing zoonotic disease risk awareness as well as the sources of information. The study used questionnaires to solicit information from 788 respondents in five communities with significant bat populations. We show that bat consumption was one of the main reasons for human–bat interactions. More men across the various communities ate bat meat. Only a small number of respondents (4.4%) reported being bitten by a bat, and 6.1% had been scratched by a bat. More than 21% had come into direct contact with bat blood. An even lower number went to the hospital after been bitten or scratched by bats. There was little knowledge on post‐exposure management. The most common places human–bat interactions occurred were at home and on farms. Seventy‐three per cent of the respondents believed that bats carried diseases, with Ebola virus disease being the most mentioned. Respondents indicated that the way they interacted with bats had not changed, even though they believed bats carried diseases and 46% stated that they had not changed the way they interacted with bats over the last two years. Apart from providing information on avoiding bites and scratches, a more holistic framework is needed to reduce human–bat interactions. The paper recommends a comprehensive and coordinated approach to optimizing an effective response to a potential bat‐borne zoonotic disease spillover.Item Awareness on waste segregation at source and willingness to pay for collection service in selected markets in Ga West Municipality, Accra, Ghana(Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2019-03) Agbefe, L.E.; Lawson, E.T.; Yirenya-Tawiah, D.Proper solid waste management has become a critical environmental issue for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana. Despite the efforts of authorities to remediate the issue, it remains a great hurdle to overcome. This study assesses the readiness of the Ga West municipality to integrate waste segregation into solid waste management in its markets. Interviews conducted with key stakeholders and questionnaires administered to traders were analysed using a binomial logistic model. Findings from the interviews reveal that the municipality, in the period of this study, not only had no bylaws for waste segregation, but was also inadequately resourced. In addition, we found that 60% of the traders were willing to segregate waste, though only 23.4% were willing to pay for its collection. Income, work experience, and marital status were found to influence willingness to separate waste at source (P < 0.05). Age (20–30 years) and awareness were found to also have a significant influence on a trader’s willingness to pay for the collection of waste (P < 0.05). It is recommended that, for waste segregation to be implemented in markets, municipal authorities ought to formulate bylaws that promote waste segregation from source. Additionally, they must provide the required infrastructure, such as different waste skips for different types of waste; embark on massive education; and introduce innovative strategies such as paying less for the disposal of segregated waste. These measures can help to increase the willingness of market traders to pay for waste disposal.Item Dealing with climate change in semi-arid Ghana: understanding intersectional perceptions and adaptation strategies of women farmers(GeoJournal, 2019-02) Lawson, E.T.; Alare, R.S.; Salifu, A.R.Z.; Thompson-Hall, M.Climate change has diverse physical and socio-economic implications for communities in semi-arid areas. While several studies have sought to understand the underlying power relations that shape adaptive capacities of rural farmers, fewer studies have focused on unpacking the differences within the different social groups. In this paper, we present a case study based on women smallholder farmers from semi-arid Ghana. It explores their nuanced perceptions of climate variability and highlights how gender intersects with other identities, roles and responsibilities to influence adaptation strategies and barriers to adaptation in the semi-arid context. Farm-level data was collected from 103 women farmers using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Rainfall patterns were perceived by the women farmers to be increasingly erratic and perceptions of average temperatures were that they are increasing. Adoption of adaptation strategies were influenced by socio-demographic factors such as age, marital and residential status, which also influenced decision-making and power dynamics within the household. The paper highlighted the complex relationships that mediate women farmers’ access to resources and influence their vulnerability to climate variability and change. Highlighting the intra-gender differences that shaped the adaptation options and adaptive capacity is a prerequisite for proper adaptation policy planning and targeting.Item The Dynamics of Poverty-Environment Linkages in the Coastal Zone of Ghana(Elsevier Ltd, 2012) Lawson, E.T.; Gordon, C.; Schluchter, W.With a high dependence on natural resources and increasing environmental degradation as a result of climatic and non-climatic factors, poverty remains a critical socioeconomic issue in the coastal zone of Ghana. Coastal poverty is closely related to the nature and complexity of coastal ecosystems and often varies from poverty in other areas. This paper contends that adequately responding to the environmental and socioeconomic issues in the coastal zone requires assisting the poor cope with changes on the coast. In doing this it is important to appreciate how poverty is defined especially by the resource users themselves as well as the nature of the poverty–environment interactions. With women being highly dependent on coastal natural resources this paper draws on the experiences of 304 women from two communities to investigate coastal people's perception of poverty. It presents empirical evidence of poverty–environment linkages and examines implications of these linkages for the effective management of Ghana's coastal natural resources. The results show that respondents describe poverty through diversity of measures rather than solely as an absence of money. In addition their livelihood patterns revolve around the availability of some coastal natural resources. Since there is no national policy for the management of the coastal natural resources the paper concludes by recommending the development of a comprehensive Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan that incorporates the priorities and needs of local resource users, alleviates poverty whilst increasing awareness of resource users of more appropriate mechanisms for managing coastal resources.Item Evaluating the Impacts of Dredging and Saline Water Intrusion on Rural Livelihoods in the Volta Estuary(International Journal of River Basin Management, 2017-09) Nyekodzi, G.; Lawson, E.T.; Gordon, C.Many communities around the world are directly dependent on rivers. In Ghana the damming of the Volta River for hydro-electric power led to the development of a sandbar at the estuary, which disrupted salt water intrusion. Inadequate salt water intrusion also led to the proliferation of snail vectors of schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and growth of aquatic weeds. In 1990, dredging began at the Volta Estuary to address the identified problems. After more than 20 years, information on the impacts of the dredging activities remain scanty. In this paper, the socio-economic impacts of dredging activities being carried out by the Volta River Authority was investigated using interviews, analysing salinity data, sampling schistosomiasis snail vectors and administering questionnaires. The results revealed that sea water intrusion has improved. However average salinity at some points exhibited downward trends. No snail vectors were sampled at the estuary due to saline water intrusion at high tides. While the number of tourists visiting the area has increased, livelihood activities such as fishing and farming have declined. Hence while dredging at the Volta Estuary has helped to reduce some of the physical problems posed by the construction of dams on the Volta River it has failed to improve the livelihoods of local residents. The authors recommend alternative livelihood programmes to address poverty and well-being issues in the surrounding communities. It also advocates for understanding of the value systems and priorities of residents to ensure projects are integrated within the traditional governance structures and community priorities to minimize conflicts.Item Gendered vulnerabilities to climate change: insights from the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia(Climate and Development, 2019-01) Rao, N.; Lawson, E.T.; Raditloaneng, W.N.; Solomon, D.; Angula, M.N.Emerging and on-going research indicates that vulnerabilities to impacts of climate change are gendered. Still, policy approaches aimed at strengthening local communities’ adaptive capacity largely fail to recognize the gendered nature of everyday realities and experiences. This paper interrogates some of the emerging evidence in selected semi-arid countries of Africa and Asia from a gender perspective, using water scarcity as an illustrative example. It emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the counting of numbers of men and women to unpacking relations of power, of inclusion and exclusion in decision-making, and challenging cultural beliefs that have denied equal opportunities and rights to differently positioned people, especially those at the bottom of economic and social hierarchies. Such an approach would make policy and practice more relevant to people’s differentiated needs and responses.Item Girls in Mining in Ghana: Surviving Without Flourishing(Centre for Social Policy Studies - University of Ghana, 2016-12) Doh, D.; Bortei-DokuAryeetey, E.; Ahadzie, W.; Lawson, E.T.Child labour is endemic in Africa and remains one of the biggest challenges facing Ghana. Child labour, by definition in Ghana’s Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) refers to (harmful) work by children below the age of 18 years. Yet for many children and their families, child labour is a very important coping mechanism that helps them to fight poverty. Some scholars are beginning to soften their hardline stance on child labour, suggesting that many working children have successfully completed school. This report shares findings on an exploratory study of 165 girls under 18 years working in artisanal gold mines in Akwatia in the Eastern Region and Tarkwa in the Western Region in Ghana. Descriptive statistics from the study revealed that the majority of girls in mining were able to support themselves financially but simply could not cope with regular school, to be able to make positive advancements in their social development. Thus the girls were able to survive but could hardly flourish under the circumstances. Thus the observation that it is possible to successfully combine school and work among children therefore is subject to the conditions under which this occurs, and requires further field study.Item How do land tenure arrangements influence adaptive responses of farmers? A study of crop farmers from semi-arid Ghana(Springer, 2021) Akugre, F.A.; Owusu, K.; Wrigley-Asante, C.; Lawson, E.T.his study investigated land tenure potential to influence farmers’ adaptive responses to climate change. A quantitative approach was employed to determine how crop farmers’ farmland tenure arrangements influence their adaptive responses to climate change impacts in the Lawra District of semi-arid north western Ghana. Field data were gathered from 248 farming households between January and May, 2017 through a multi-stage sampling procedure. About 55.2%, 45.6%, 44.4%, 80.6% and 64.5% of the farmers adopted early maturing crop varieties, zai farming techniques, agroforestry, crop rotation and adjustment in planting dates respectively as adaptive choices to the impacts of climate change. Binary logistic regression models showed that farmland size, years of land occupancy or usage, method of land acquisition and perceived level of farmland tenureItem Inclusion of Ghanaian women in coastal natural resource management: The role of environmental attitudes and values(VDM Verlag Dr. Müller e.K. Saarbrücken, 2010) Lawson, E.T.Coastal natural resources provide many benefits, some of which are economic and cultural benefits. Unfortunately they are often overexploited resulting in a loss and degradation in natural resources. The study reported in this book highlights the environmental attitudes and values of a very important group of stakeholders – women and the significance taking these into consideration in the management of local coastal natural resources. It investigates poverty-coastal natural resource linkages and how this knowledge can be used to improve Natural Resource Management in Ghana. It also examines the feasibility of using the paired comparison method as an alternative methodology in assessing environmental values in a developing country setting. The questions that guide the direction of this book are: · How women construct and perceive poverty in their community? · What are the linkages between poverty and natural resource use in coastal environments? · What kind of attitudes towards the current trends of natural resource degradation along the coast do women have? · What kind of environmental values do the respondents in the study areas have? · How do the environmental attitudes and values mean for coastal natural resource management in Ghana? · What are the existing institutional and legal frameworks with regards to coastal natural resource management in Ghana?Item Leadership, local knowledge and water management: lessons from fringe communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve(Ghana International Journal of Development and Sustainability. 3 (2): 353-370., 2014) Ofori, B. D.; Nukpezah, D.; Ayivor, J.S.; Lawson, E.T.; Gordon, C.Access to water remains a key global issue in spite of significant progress made over the past two decades towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal drinking water target. This study therefore examined how local leadership and community-based institutions contribute to effective and sustainable management of water resources and environmental stewardship in the face of climate change. The study focused on three outlying farming communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve of the forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana. The study adopted participatory rural appraisal methodologies involving focus group discussions, interviews and observation at the community level. The study noted that the influence of local chiefs is a strong factor in the management of water resources and environmental stewardship. Lack of effective community leadership, accountability on the part of community water management committees and cooperation between indegense and migrant settlers constitute a major constraint towards achieving effective management of water resources. The study advocated for stronger cooperation among people of different ethnic backgrounds to sustain community water management. There is also the need for support from the local government and law enforcemnet agencies to enhance communiy initiatives at conflict resolution arising out of multiple use of water resources.Item Level of Vulnerability of Women Farmers to Climate Change Impacts in the Agona West Municipality(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Baidoo, B.; Egyir, I.S.; Lawson, E.T.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation StudiesWomen farmers are said to be most vulnerable to climate change due to their multifaceted roles in society and limited access to land and credit for commercial production. The Agona West Municipal Assembly in the Central Region of Ghana is selected as a case for study. The following issues were investigated: The degree of vulnerability to climate change by women farmers, the contribution of land size and land acquisition processes to high levels of exposure and sensitivity and the extent to which access to resources such as irrigation facilities, credit facilities and agricultural extension services improve women‘s adaptive capacity. The survey method was used to collect data from women farmers in the Agona Swedru, Nkum, Abodom, Bobikuma, Nyakrom and Ostenkorang communities. The Erdas Imagine Software was used to classify a raster image into a cover map segmented into three to show areas of high, medium and low exposure. A vulnerability indicator adopted from the Human Development Index was developed on a scale of 0 to 1 to rate the variables and based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, they were ranked as high (0.7-1.0), medium (0.4-0.69) or low (0.0-0.39). The results of the study showed that about 21% of the women farmers were ranked low, 47% were ranked medium and 32% were ranked high. The study recommends that in a bid to weaken women farmers‘ level of exposure and sensitivity to climate change, they should be provided with irrigation and storage facilities and also be encouraged to join farmer- based groups. Women farmers‘ adaptive capacity can be strengthened by linking them with financial institutions so that they can secure funds to procure new crop varieties suitable for the existing climate.Item Local classifications of fever and treatment sought among populations at risk of zoonotic diseases in Ghana(PLoS ONE, 2018-08) Ohemeng, F.; Ayivor, J.S.; Lawson, E.T.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.In the past four decades, there has been an increase in the occurrence of zoonotic diseases. Some outbreaks have been devastating because of the inability of individuals and health workers to identify the diseases early. Generally, most zoonotic diseases are heralded by a fever. While fevers are common, they are often the symptoms of different diseases. This paper explores how a population at potential risk of zoonotic diseases identify fevers, and what treatments they seek when they develop fevers. The data are from focus group discussions and a survey of three communities in the Brong Ahafo, Volta and Greater Accra regions in Ghana. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the perceived causes of fever differ from the traditional biomedical view. While orthodox treatment was the preferred choice for most participants, rural dwellers utilised traditional medicine more than their urban counterparts. Though there is no record of bat-borne zoonotic disease in Ghana, our findings could be used as a proxy to indicate how populations at risk of exposure might respond in the event of a spillover event from a zoonosis. We recommend that educational campaigns on zoonotic diseases should target rural dwellers, especially farmers, who may be most at risk of zoonoses.Item Managing risk, changing aspirations and household dynamics: Implications for wellbeing and adaptation in semi-arid Africa and India(World Development, 2019-08-28) Lawson, E.T.; Rao, N.; Singh, C.; Solomon, D.; Camfield, L.; Sidiki, R.; Angula, M.; Poonacha, P.; Sidibé, A.Semi-arid regions across Africa and Asia are characterized by rapidly changing biophysical regimes, structural vulnerabilities, and increasing livelihood precarity. Gender, class, and caste/ethnic identities and relationships, and the specific social, economic and political power, roles and responsibilities they entail, shape the choices and decisions open to individuals and households in managing the risks they face. Unpacking the multiple, intersecting inequalities confronting rural populations in these climate hotspots is therefore vital to understand how risk can be managed in a way that supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable local adaptation. Drawing on empirical evidence from six countries, generated through a mixed methods approach, we examine how changes in household dynamics, structure, and aspirations, shape risk management with implications for household well-being, adaptive capacity, and ultimately sustainable development. The ability of individuals within households, differentiated by age, marital status, or education, to manipulate the very structure of the household and the material and social resources it offers, differentiates risk management strategies such as livelihood diversification, migration, changing agricultural practices and leveraging social support. Our evidence suggests that while greater risks can drive conflictive behaviour within households, with women often reporting lower subjective wellbeing, new forms of cooperative behaviour are also emerging, especially in peri-urban spaces. Through this study, we identify entry points into enabling sustainable and inclusive adaptation behaviour, emphasizing that interventions should work for both women and men by challenging inequitable social and gender norms and renegotiating the domains of work and cooperation to maintain overall household wellbeing.achieve the WHO roadmap target for schistosomiasis control by 2020.Item Shifting sands: Changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana(Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2014) Lawson, E.T.; Bentil, G.The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and fiscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conflicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutifi District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents' perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities' sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Item Shifting sands: changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana(Environment Development and Sustainability, 2014) Lawson, E.T.; Bentil, G.The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and fiscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conflicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutifi District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents’ perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities’ sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members.Item Using the paired comparison methodology to assess environmental values in the coastal zone of Ghana(Springer, 2010) Lawson, E.T.; Schluchter, W.; Gordon, C.Like many developing countries, Ghana is grappling with environmental issues, such as the degradation of coastal natural resources. In an attempt to ameliorate the current state of affairs, broad institutional arrangements and policy interventions have been put in place. However coastal natural resources are still being overexploited and the effects of this are felt more strongly by certain groups (such as women and the rural poor) than others. This has led to the argument pointing to an urgent need to include local resource users as active participants in environmental decision making and to incorporate their environmental values in the management of coastal natural resources. Using empirical data from women in two Ghanaian coastal communities, this paper highlights the importance of exploring how the environmental attitudes and values of women might be considered in the management of local coastal natural resources. It assesses effectiveness of the paired comparison methodology in this respects and how this method can be also used to prioritise their environmental concerns. The results show that in both areas respondents place the greatest importance on the coastal natural resources as sources of wealth creation and of food, values which are often described as being “anthropocentric”. The paper thus argues that having discovered that the ecological value placed on natural resources is low, initiatives that could win the support of people would be those that link the livelihood and wellbeing to coastal NRM. It emphasizes the fact that conservation cannot exist outside of people and social systems; nor will it succeed unless they are linked to the welfare of resource users.