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Item Understanding Mass Wasting In Metropolitan Accra(University Of Ghana, 2020-09) Arhinful, A.A.KMetropolitan areas are one the fast-growing urban metropolis in Sub-Saharan Africa with respect to both demographic densification and expansion of the built-up environment. The sprawling nature of Metropolitan Accra has also resulted in various human activities such as settlement, stone quarrying, and sand mining. The resultant effect is the exhibition of signs of mass wasting in the metropolitan area for some years now. Mass wasting refers to the wide variety of processes that result in the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials including rock, soil, artificial fill, or a combination of these. The study employed a mixed-method approach to ascertain the triggers of mass wasting in Metropolitan Accra. Specifically, the study assessed the vulnerability levels, residents’ perceived risk to mass wasting and presented some recommendations for policy considerations. A total of 130 respondents were used for the study: 124 household survey and 4 in-depth interviewees. The results further showed that the main trigger for mass wasting as perceived by respondents in the study communities were anthropogenic factors with environmental impacts making majority of responds in relation to mass wasting. The results again revealed that respondents at the summit of hills perceived themselves to be less exposed to mass wasting than those along the slope and base of the hill thus respondents along the slope and base of the slope are perceived to be at greater risk of mass wasting events. The findings again revealed that, majority of the communities at the northern part of Ga South were less prone to mass wasting compared to those of the southern part, exposed to high risk of mass wasting. Weija-Gbawe had some patches of areas very low to mass wasting with the interior part accounting for some major high-risk zones. The study suggested some recommendations for policy considerations to help manage the event.Item Urban Solid Waste Management Crisis: An Assessment Of The Enabling Environment For Private Sector Participation In La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality.(University of Ghana, 2022-04) Sarpong, J.Environmental concerns have gotten a lot more attention as a result of the growing focus on sustainable development. Waste management, especially sustainable waste management (SWM) appears to be an environmental issue that has gained both study and policy attention. The goal of this study is to assess the enabling environment for private sector participation in the management of solid waste in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality. The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, private waste management businesses, and residents of La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality make up the study's population. The Municipality was divided into three socioeconomic classes (high, middle, and low–income residential sectors) based on wealth, population density, housing quality, and various economic criteria. Given the character of the respondents for this study, two (2) key data collection instruments were used: a questionnaire and an interview guide. A total of one hundred and eighty-six (186) sample size was obtained for the households out of 204, representing a response rate of 91%. Purposive sampling was also used to obtain data from specific groups based on their roles in solid waste management in the study area. These included the Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Municipal Planning Officer, Assembly members, and Private Waste Contractors such as Bright Waste Company Limited. The study's findings suggested that there are clear-cut arrangements for handling solid waste in the municipality but there are deficits in the application of these arrangements in the management. The findings also revealed that the solid waste management system in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality is that of collection and disposal. The municipality is currently not treating or recycling waste as far as the management of waste is concerned. The study concludes by recommending that local government entities' technical and financial capacities must be enhanced to help regulate and enforce sanitation laws and bye-laws. It is also very necessary for the government to increase investment in final disposal sites and transfer stations.Item Structural And Alteration Controls On Gold Mineralization In The Rhyacian Rocks Of The Josephine Deposit, NW Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-07) Atanga, F.This thesis focuses on the structures and alterations controlling gold mineralization in the Josephine deposit found in NW Ghana. The lithological and structural maps were produced from field lithological and structural data in conjunction with airborne geophysical data. The lithologies observed in the deposit comprise of meta-sediments (mainly quartzite), granitoid batholiths, mafic intrusion (dolerite), and gneiss. The quartzite which hosts the mineralization have experienced greenschist metamorphism. Through mapping and structural analysis, the following sequence of deformational events; DJO0, DJO1, DJO2 and DJO3was identified. DJO0 is synonymous to the primary preserved sedimentary features observed in the rocks and mainly observed in the quarzitic rocks. Gold mineralization in the deposit is structurally controlled and mainly associated with the DJO1 NNW-trending dextral and steeply dipping sinusoidal shear zone. The gold occurs together with arsenopyrite along the foliation planes of the host rocks, quartzite. Alteration minerals assemblage observed within the deposit give indication the gold precipitated under greenschist metamorphic facies. The ore body geometry is about 15-40m wide with a strike length of 800m trending in the NNW direction. Silicification, seritization, chloritization and sulphidation (quartz + sericite + chlorite + sulphide) are the main alterations associated with the ore zone in the deposit. Sulphides observed in the deposit are arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerites with gold more associated with the arsenopyrite mineral. The gold occurs as free gold within the fractures of the arsenopyrite mineral. The pathfinder elements associated with gold in the deposits are mainly antimony or stibnite (Sb), Te (Tellurium), S (Sulphur), Cu (Copper), Ag (Silver), and Lead (Pb) which is characteristic of orogenic gold. Isocon analysis suggests the altered mineralized zone has gained 16.6% mass and volume increase because of addition of the fluids. This together with the zonation of the arsenopyrite gives an indication of hydrothermal process responsible for the mineralization with an unknown sourceItem The Mining-Agriculture Nexus And Food Security In Kenyasi, Ahafo Region(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Boachie-Mensah, F.Food security has been of paramount importance since time immemorial considering the crucial role of food in the survival of human beings. Food security is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite all the global efforts toward ensuring food security, food security in sub-Saharan Africa (especially the rural parts) still ought to be attended to. Livelihood diversification has become very crucial in the face of the rapid challenges engulfing the agricultural sector. Small-scale mining has become an option for rural dwellers in mineral-rich areas in Ghana. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the relative contribution of farming and mining livelihoods to food security. This study adopted a case study descriptive design and made use of the mixed-method approach. The findings of the study were about the objectives of study which are to assess the nature and level of usage of the two major livelihood strategies, to examine the determinants/motivations of household choice of the two livelihood systems, to discuss the relative contribution of small-scale mining and farming to the food security status of households and finally, to analyse the challenges of employing small-scale mining and farming activities in terms of contradictions and synergies. Following the first objective, the study shows that a majority of the inhabitants were into farming and mining, with farming being the dominant occupation amongst the residents of Kenyasi. The study also observed that a majority of the inhabitants earned relatively lower incomes (usually less than 1,000 cedis per month). This could be attributed to the fact that most of the farmers were only engaged in subsistence farming and only sold their produce when they had a surplus. Despite being a farming community, it was surprisingly identified that food shortage was prevalent in Kenyasi as most households indicated that there was not enough food for them throughout the year. For the second objective, the study found that farmers ventured into farming to be able to provide food for their consumption and sell the surplus to local markets. Those engaged in mining, it was mainly motivated by the higher income levels. The results from the fourth objective show that the synergies and trade-offs between mining and farming in contributing to livelihoods and food security were complementary. However, the operation of mining activities led to the destruction of farmlands within the community. The third objective centred mainly around contributions found that mining had also reduced the labour for farming by attracting farmers and casual potential labourers given the high wages in mining. The study recommended that it is therefore important to streamline the operations of both livelihood activities to harness their relative direct and indirect contributions to achieving food security.Item Spatial Analysis Of The Distribution And Drivers Of Retail Outlets Location In Residential Areas Of Accra(University Of Ghana, 2021-07) Hogba, E.In the last two decades, the retail sector has seen an unprecedented and widespread proliferation of retail outlets, particularly in the majority of developing cities. In Accra, Ghana's capital city, houses and residential neighbourhoods are increasingly becoming a haven for the location of retail outlets. Given the fast expansion of residential retail outlets, a comprehensive geographical understanding of the locational patterns, as well as the causes of these patterns are required for formulating spatial planning policies, decision-making and rational distribution of commercial facilities. The study, therefore, examined the spatial pattern and drivers of retail outlet locations in three residential areas of varied income levels in Accra. The study employed a complementary mixed-method approach, involving the mapping of locations of retail outlets using Geographic Information Systems, questionnaire administration, in-depth interviews with buyers and institutional stakeholders as well as field observations to collect data. The mapping established that the geographical pattern of retail outlets is aligned with the distribution pattern of urban development in the study areas and these include the distribution of population, road networks, and supplementary businesses. Though the distribution of retail outlets is suggested to be spontaneous, the study showed that the factors driving the location of retail outlets were taken by retailers based on their observations and experiences, including proximity to customers, existing clusters of retailers, and minimization of competition. The study also revealed that the distribution and operations of retail outlets pose great environmental threats to the residential environment and the quality of life of residents. The study recommended, among others, that policymakers develop an explicit and comprehensive policy to regulate and manage residential retailing.Item Public Housing In Ghana: A Case Study Of The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area(University Of Ghana, 2022-05) Ayumu, E.T.The global urban population has seen significant growth over the past decades. The rapid rate of urbanisation has created critical infrastructure challenges to sustainable development. Among these challenges is housing. More individuals have become homeless, the number of slums and squatter communities is growing, and house prices are rising. In Ghana, policymakers have struggled to tackle the housing crisis through various programs. The role of the state in housing provision has changed due to the recent subscription to neoliberal policies. This change in the government’s role in housing provision has affected supply and access to housing, for example, which encourages private ownership and construction of housing, especially in the urban space. Within this context, the study sought to analyse the role and acceptance of public housing as a solution to the housing challenges within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). Four communities with public housing projects in GAMA were studied. A mixed-methods approach, triangulating surveys, key informant interviews, and observation, was deployed. The 2015 National Housing Policy was analysed to ascertain the shift in the government’s approach to public housing. The study showed that people prefer public housing through rent or buying rather than private formal or informal housing units. The security of tenure associated with dwelling in public housing is the main reason why people prefer public housing. Despite the preference for public housing, most respondents have not tried accessing public housing due to their perception of bias in the allocation of public housing. The study also examined the spatiality of public housing and found that because most people settled in their respective communities to be closer to their place of work, they are unwilling to secure public housing, most of which are situated far from the city centres. And will not be willing to rent or buy a public housing unit at places far from their place of work. The study recommends a revised housing policy and provision approach that will ensure that the housing demands of both formal and informal employees and low- and high-income families are met.Item Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Of Healthcare Waste Management And Risk Perception In Ho Municipality(University Of Ghana, 2022-04) Dzakuma, D.K.Globally, there exist a well-defined set of rules for handling healthcare waste; but the slackness and lack of adequate training and awareness in the implementation of n legislative and regulatory policy guidelines lead to serious health and ecological trepidation. The present study was conducted to assess the level of awareness of healthcare waste management amongst health personnel and the perceptions regarding the potential risks associated with waste, through mixed-method approach of data collection. Simple random sampling was used to select 165 health personnel from the Municipal Health Directorate. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS chi-squares and the level of significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Descriptive statistics were carried out to determine relative percentages. Results show that the total level of awareness of health care waste management amongst staff among highest in Doctors, followed by laboratory technicians, nurses, health assistants and lastly was at personnel 1%, 75%, and 68.9%, 60% and 35.7% respectively. The study uncovered that majority of health personnel were not aware of the Ministry of Health Guidelines on the management of healthcare waste. Chi-square test of association between a health worker’s profession and level of knowledge of healthcare waste management (χ2 = 13.704; p = 0.008 at 0.05 significance level) depicted health personnel’s job the type affects level of knowledge of healthcare waste management. Similarly, chi-square test of association between job category health personnel risk perception about infection from infectious waste (χ2 = 20.278; p = 0.009 at 0.05 significance level) indicated health personnel’s risk perception was influenced by their job type. The study recommends the need to have specialised waste workers is very essential or the training of the existing personnel on effective healthcare waste management as only 35.7% of current waste personnel indicated their knowledge in waste management as good.Item Assessing Social Cohesion And Resilience Of Coastal Communities Affected By Tidal Wave Related Disasters In The Volta Region(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Kwabla, D.E.The insurgency of natural hazards as a result of climate change in recent times are causing havoc in vulnerable communities thus became a major source of disasters across the globe. In coastal communities, tidal-wave hazards in particular are the major causes of disasters, resulting in the loss of living/ habitat space, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of economic livelihoods among others. This study focused on the assessment of social cohesion and community disaster resilience in some selected tidal-wave affected coastal communities in the Volta Region of Ghana. Questionnaire administration was combined with focus group discussion to collect data in each study community. The Burkner’s Index of Cohesion (BIC) and Index of Perceived Community Resilience (IPCR) were used to evaluate social cohesion and resilience of study communities respectively. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to determine the significant differences in the intensity of BIC and IPCR between the communities whiles the FEMA model (figure 1) was used as temporal reference point to analyze the recovery cycle of communities that have experienced disaster at different time period and places. Effective usage of social networks, the practice of neighborliness and social solidarity among community members were observed to be the major attributes to the moderate level of social cohesion experienced in the various study communities. As a result, resilience was found to be positive in each of the study communities but not adequate enough to build back better within the shortest possible time without a major external support. The study also identifies some key indicators relative to each study community that need to be improved upon in practical terms to enhance the community’s social cohesion aspirations in other to help build a stronger disaster resilience in rural poor communities across the diaspora.Item Understanding Mass Wasting in Metropolitan Accra(University of Ghana, 2020-09) Arhinful, A.A.K.Metropolitan areas are one the fast-growing urban metropolis in Sub-Saharan Africa with respect to both demographic densification and expansion of the built-up environment. The sprawling nature of Metropolitan Accra has also resulted in various human activities such as settlement, stone quarrying, and sand mining. The resultant effect is the exhibition of signs of mass wasting in the metropolitan area for some years now. Mass wasting refers to the wide variety of processes that result in the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials including rock, soil, artificial fill, or a combination of these. The study employed a mixed-method approach to ascertain the triggers of mass wasting in Metropolitan Accra. Specifically, the study assessed the vulnerability levels, residents’ perceived risk to mass wasting and presented some recommendations for policy considerations. A total of 130 respondents were used for the study: 124 household survey and 4 in-depth interviewees. The results further showed that the main trigger for mass wasting as perceived by respondents in the study communities were anthropogenic factors with environmental impacts making majority of responds in relation to mass wasting. The results again revealed that respondents at the summit of hills perceived themselves to be less exposed to mass wasting than those along the slope and base of the hill thus respondents along the slope and base of the slope are perceived to be at greater risk of mass wasting events. The findings again revealed that, majority of the communities at the northern part of Ga South were less prone to mass wasting compared to those of the southern part, exposed to high risk of mass wasting. Weija-Gbawe had some patches of areas very low to mass wasting with the interior part accounting for some major high-risk zones. The study suggested some recommendations for policy considerations to help manage the event.Item Curbing Open Defecation In The Keea Municipality In The Central Region(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Semebiah, C.Unimproved sanitation such as open defecation practices has been a major sanitation problem in Ghana. The practice has been alarming due to the threat it poses to human health. Therefore, it has become an area of concern in the KEEA municipality since a lot of households do not have household toilet facilities. Addressing the unimproved sanitation practices to ensure a resilient community require comprehensive understanding of all underlying determinants of open defecation practices and factors that trigger the adoption of household toilet facilities. The study employed a mixed-method approach to explore means of curbing open defecation practices in the KEEA municipality. Specifically, the study investigated how the spatial distribution of public toilets influence the facility‘s usage, the socio-demographic predictors of open defecation, and the triggers for adopting a household toilet facility. A total of 373 respondents were used for the study; 320 household heads for the questionnaire survey, 42 focused group discussants, and 11 in-depth interviewees. The findings revealed that the most commonplace of attending nature‘s call is the public toilet. Spatial distribution of these public toilets do not influence the facility‘s usage irrespective of the unkempt status. The results also showed that females are more likely to open defecate as compared to males; those between 50-60 years are also likely to open defecate. Education and income status are also significant determinants of open defecation practices. Religion and ethnicity are, however, insignificant in predicting open defecation practices in the study area. Adoption of household toilet facility is also likely to be triggered by prestige, health and economic drivers. However, these drivers (excluding the economic driver), are influenced by marital status, education level and income status. Both short term and long term recommendations were suggested to curb open defecation practices. The study further calls for enactment of policy documents to safeguard tenets to invest in constructing their household toilet facility while sanitation. University of GhanaItem Water Thirst in Teshie and the Desalination Intervention(University of Ghana, 2019-12) Nyade, L.T.Item Impact of Flooding and Bank Erosion on Livelihoods at the Lower Pra Basin(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Asiedu, E.River flooding and bank erosion pose serious environmental and socio-economic threats, thus impacting the livelihoods of people in diverse ways. Understanding the vulnerability of people to these hazards will help come up with proactive adaptation and mitigation measures. This study looked at the impact of flooding and bank erosion on livelihoods at the lower Pra basin. Using a mixed-method strategy, 200 questionnaires were administered with Topographical maps, and Satellite imageries being used. Also, key informants were interviewed to collect data and information. The study revealed that the river bankline of the Lower Pra basin has changed from 16.17516km² to 66.8808km² from 1974 to 2018 due to the river eroding the banks and anthropogenic activities. The study also revealed that the Residents continue to be highly vulnerable to these hazards due to the type of structures they live in, their livelihood activities and the inability of government agencies such as the NADMO and District planners in dealing with the hazards. The livelihoods of people living in the lower basin continue to be threatened because of the individual vulnerabilities to flooding and bank erosion. Residents were highly impacted in the physical and socio-economic aspects of their livelihoods such as the destruction of farmlands and household properties, economic activities and health related issues. To overcome the impacts of flooding and bank erosion, the study recommends that residents who live along the Pra river should be relocated. Also, there should be riverbank defense, desilting of the river channel, planning of education and sensitization programs to reduce their impact to both flooding and bank erosion at the Lower Pra basin. The study gives the trustworthiness of the sustainable livelihood framework that if the communities and institutions in the country wholly function properly with the available capital to support the household, it will reduce the people's vulnerability and the impacts to these hazards thereby improving and maintaining good livelihood outcomes.Item The Experiences of and Adaptation to Climate Variability by Farmers in Nkwanta North District(University of Ghana, 2020-07) Yeboah, A.K.The study examined the experiences of and adaptation to climate variability by farmers in the north eastern Ghana. A mixed research design comprising of questionnaire, focus group discussions and expert interviews were employed in the collection of data from respondents. In all 180 food crop farm household heads were sampled from four communities in the Nkwanta north district for the administration of questionnaires using the Jensen & Shumway formula. The qualitative data which was collected by the use of expert interview and focus group discussions were manually analyzed through thematic content analysis whiles chi square test, cross tabulation and binary logistic regression components of SPSS version 25 and Microsoft excel 2013 were used in analyzing the quantitative data. The results showed that most of the farmers have been farming for more than three decades. This made the farmers gain enough experience to declare their stance of having observed variation in the climate. An increasing temperature and a reducing trend in rainfall coupled with lengthy drought are the most common variation that most farmers have observed. The study revealed that because most farmers feel vulnerable to the effects of the varying climate, they have adopted measures such as a change in the planting dates, using drought resistant crop varieties, mixed farming, use of herbicides and fertilizers and mulching to make them risk-averse. The main socioeconomic factors that influenced farmers’ decision in the choice of adaptation strategy were age and size of household. It is recommended that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through its agricultural extension department should ensure that more agricultural extension agents are posted into the district and equipped to beef up support, motivate and educate the farmers on modern ways of farmingItem Curbing Open Defecation in the Keea Municipality in the Central Region(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Semabiah, C.Unimproved sanitation such as open defecation practices has been a major sanitation problem in Ghana. The practice has been alarming due to the threat it poses to human health. Therefore, it has become an area of concern in the KEEA municipality since a lot of households do not have household toilet facilities. Addressing the unimproved sanitation practices to ensure a resilient community require comprehensive understanding of all underlying determinants of open defecation practices and factors that trigger the adoption of household toilet facilities. The study employed a mixed-method approach to explore means of curbing open defecation practices in the KEEA municipality. Specifically, the study investigated how the spatial distribution of public toilets influence the facility‘s usage, the socio-demographic predictors of open defecation, and the triggers for adopting a household toilet facility. A total of 373 respondents were used for the study; 320 household heads for the questionnaire survey, 42 focused group discussants, and 11 in-depth interviewees. The findings revealed that the most commonplace of attending nature‘s call is the public toilet. Spatial distribution of these public toilets do not influence the facility‘s usage irrespective of the unkempt status. The results also showed that females are more likely to open defecate as compared to males; those between 50-60 years are also likely to open defecate. Education and income status are also significant determinants of open defecation practices. Religion and ethnicity are, however, insignificant in predicting open defecation practices in the study area. Adoption of household toilet facility is also likely to be triggered by prestige, health and economic drivers. However, these drivers (excluding the economic driver), are influenced by marital status, education level and income status. Both short term and long term recommendations were suggested to curb open defecation practices. The study further calls for enactment of policy documents to safeguard tenets to invest in constructing their household toilet facility while sanitation.Item Choice of Healthcare Services and its Influencing Factors in the Sunyani Municipality(University of Ghana, 2020-07) Asante, A.G.Globally, there are a lot of healthcare services available for people to utilize. However, several factors affect the choice of healthcare leading to the non-usage of the right healthcare services. This study sought to assess the choice of healthcare services and its influencing factors in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. Adapting Kroeger’s health behavioural model, the study specifically looked at the types of health care services used by different socio-economic groups; the factors influencing choice of health care services; and the barriers that affect choice of health care services. A mixed-method strategy was employed to distribute questionnaires to 430 respondents in four communities within the Sunyani municipality. Also, interviews and focus group discussions were organized with health professionals and community members, respectively. With the help of the SPSS software version 22, the quantitative data was analysed using tables, graphs and cross tabulations as well as a logistic regression model to predict factors that affect the choice of healthcare services for both adults and children. With the qualitative data the NVivo software was used to generate themes, and relevant quotes used to support the quantitative data. The study revealed that the choice of healthcare does not necessarily vary among different socio-economic groups when it comes to choosing healthcare for both adults and children. Although factors such as age, gender, education, income, type of settlement, travel time and distance influence choice of healthcare, these factors affect choice differently depending on the household members involved (children or adults) and the nature of illness (chronic or acute). The study also revealed that distance to a health facility, nature of transport services, waiting times, attitude of health professionals, inadequate medical equipment, cost of service, none acceptance of NHIS, and religious/cultural beliefs are some of the barriers that impede healthcare choice. It is recommended that there should be an untargeted approach by the Ghana Health Service in public education on the use of the right healthcare and the need to seek formal healthcare in all medical conditions within the Sunyani Municipality. Additionally, government and other stakeholders should make conscious efforts at removing barriers that affect healthcare access and usage in the Sunyani Municipality.Item Curbing Open Defecation in the Keea Municipality in the Central Region(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Semabiah, C.Unimproved sanitation such as open defecation practices has been a major sanitation problem in Ghana. The practice has been alarming due to the threat it poses to human health. Therefore, it has become an area of concern in the KEEA municipality since a lot of households do not have household toilet facilities. Addressing the unimproved sanitation practices to ensure a resilient community require comprehensive understanding of all underlying determinants of open defecation practices and factors that trigger the adoption of household toilet facilities. The study employed a mixed-method approach to explore means of curbing open defecation practices in the KEEA municipality. Specifically, the study investigated how the spatial distribution of public toilets influence the facility‘s usage, the socio-demographic predictors of open defecation, and the triggers for adopting a household toilet facility. A total of 373 respondents were used for the study; 320 household heads for the questionnaire survey, 42 focused group discussants, and 11 in-depth interviewees. The findings revealed that the most commonplace of attending nature‘s call is the public toilet. Spatial distribution of these public toilets do not influence the facility‘s usage irrespective of the unkempt status. The results also showed that females are more likely to open defecate as compared to males; those between 50-60 years are also likely to open defecate. Education and income status are also significant determinants of open defecation practices. Religion and ethnicity are, however, insignificant in predicting open defecation practices in the study area. Adoption of household toilet facility is also likely to be triggered by prestige, health and economic drivers. However, these drivers (excluding the economic driver), are influenced by marital status, education level and income status. Both short term and long term recommendations were suggested to curb open defecation practices. The study further calls for enactment of policy documents to safeguard tenets to invest in constructing their household toilet facility while sanitation.Item Choice of Healthcare Services and Its Influencing Factors in the Sunyani Municipality(University Of Ghana, 2020-07) Asante, A.G.Globally, there are a lot of healthcare services available for people to utilize. However, several factors affect the choice of healthcare leading to the non-usage of the right healthcare services. This study sought to assess the choice of healthcare services and its influencing factors in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. Adapting Kroeger’s health behavioural model, the study specifically looked at the types of health care services used by different socio-economic groups; the factors influencing choice of health care services; and the barriers that affect choice of health care services. A mixed-method strategy was employed to distribute questionnaires to 430 respondents in four communities within the Sunyani municipality. Also, interviews and focus group discussions were organized with health professionals and community members, respectively. With the help of the SPSS software version 22, the quantitative data was analysed using tables, graphs and cross tabulations as well as a logistic regression model to predict factors that affect the choice of healthcare services for both adults and children. With the qualitative data the NVivo software was used to generate themes, and relevant quotes used to support the quantitative data. The study revealed that the choice of healthcare does not necessarily vary among different socio-economic groups when it comes to choosing healthcare for both adults and children. Although factors such as age, gender, education, income, type of settlement, travel time and distance influence choice of healthcare, these factors affect choice differently depending on the household members involved (children or adults) and the nature of illness (chronic or acute). The study also revealed that distance to a health facility, nature of transport services, waiting times, attitude of health professionals, inadequate medical equipment, cost of service, none acceptance of NHIS, and religious/cultural beliefs are some of the barriers that impede healthcare choice. It is recommended that there should be an untargeted approach by the Ghana Health Service in public education on the use of the right healthcare and the need to seek formal healthcare in all medical conditions within the Sunyani Municipality. Additionally, government and other stakeholders should make conscious efforts at removing barriers that affect healthcare access and usage in the Sunyani Municipality.Item The Role of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Accessing Health Care in the Ga West Municipality(University Of Ghana, 2019-12) Alirah, A.J.Ensuring access to quality healthcare is deemed a basic necessity and a fundamental driver for economic growth and development. In view of this, there have been several efforts geared toward ensuring universal health coverage, especially in developing countries. Given the barriers cost of payment for health care pose to health care access and utilisation, health policies such as the health insurance play significant roles in mitigating these barriers. However, some studies suggest that the over-arching purpose of Ghana‘s National Health Insurance Scheme – to provide financial access to quality health care – continue to be constrained by some challenges, and this poses a serious challenge to bridging the health care accessibility and utilisation gap. Against this backdrop and further positioned in the Ga West Municipality of Ghana, this study examined the role of the National Health Insurance Scheme in accessing health care. Specifically, it examined the awareness of households on NHIS in the Ga West Municipality; assessed the role of NHIS in quality healthcare accessibility in Ga West Municipality; examined the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and HIS subscription; and lastly, examined the challenges to NHIS implementation in Ga West Municipality. The study relied on the mixed method approach for its data collection. A total of 200 respondents were sampled for the questionnaire survey and various institutional heads and some respondents were selected for the in-depth interview. The study reported high level of NHIS awareness amongst suscribers and non-subscribers of NHIS, and the major source of information on NHIS was friends and family. Also, most of the study population had little knowledge on other insurance schemes aside the NHIS. In terms of access to health facilities, NHIS subscribers indicated that they experience longer waiting time, poor attitude of staffs and personnel, unavailability of prescribed drugs at the facilities as compared to those who pay out-of-pocket. Findings from the study revealed that females were more likely to enrol on NHIS than males, and people with tertiary education were also more likely to subscribe to the NHIS. Finally, the study revealed that barriers to NHIS subscription influence healthcare accessibility in the context of the Ga West Municipality. Given how important the NHIS is in bridging the health care utilisation gap and ensuring inclusivity of every Ghanaian in quality health care delivery, the study recommends that much effort should be directed at resolving the various challenges associated with the scheme.Item The Impacts of Climate Variability on Livelihoods of Fisher Folk at Yeji.(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Mensah, E.K.Fisheries-related livelihoods are affected by both climatic and non-climatic factors. Climate variability can play a profound role in the dwindling returns from fisheries and has impacts on socio-economic livelihoods of fisher folks. The objectives of this study were to determine evidence of rainfall and temperature changes, evaluate the effects of rainfall and temperature changes on fish catch, identify the general determinants or drivers of fish outputs at Yeji, determine the impacts of the prevailing climate on the fisheries value chain and assess the current coping and adaptive strategies of fisheries dependent households. Household surveys were conducted with 108 fishers from three fish landing sites in the Pru district in addition to in-depth interviews, key-informant interviews and focus group discussions. Historical data on fish catch, rainfall and temperature conditions were also taken from the Fisheries Department, Ghana Statistical Service, and Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet). Summary frequencies were generated from the survey data and rainfall and temperature anomalies were generated and compared to ENSO occurrences and fish catch. The qualitative data mainly textual or word-based information from in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were analyzed, and reported using boxes. The study found that rainfall, rainstorm, drought and flood events, high fishing season temperatures are climatic drivers of fish outputs while non-climatic drivers of fish catch volume include type of fishing boat, fishing experience, number of fishing gears, crew size, lack of knowledge, poor health, lack of credit, cost and irregular supply of premix fuel. The study identified two major coping and adaptation strategies. First, diversification of livelihoods includes rearing of domestic poultry, livestock rearing, crop farming, petty trading and tree planting. Second, movement of fishers across the fishing landscape in search for better fishing grounds during the lean season. The study recommends that in order to reduce risks from climate hazards on livelihoods, local policies should lessen dependence on climate sensitive alternative income sources.Item Challenges in Rental Housing and Coping Strategies among Residents in Madina, Accra, Ghana.(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Darteh, N.A.Housing has increasingly become a threatened product in many urban areas in highly populated regions. As a result, several urban dwellers live under housing conditions that affect an individual’s pride and experiences, causing distressing social, economic, spatial and, health implications. Particularly, the deficit in housing supply and the high prices of the available housing stock poses challenges to the residents of urban centers. This research therefore, sought to discover the challenges that the residents of Madina in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Area face when renting housing units for shelter. The study adopted multi-sampling technique (three-stages) and sampled 150 residents in Madina for the survey. In-depth interviews were conducted for 35 residents (15 residents who lived informal structures and 20 who lived ininformal structures in Madina). Findings from the research showed that residents preferred to access housing units themselves than the other means (through friends and family and rental agents). It was revealed that residents faced psychological (anxiety, fear of eviction and reduced mastery and privacy), economic (high rent charges, extortion from rental agents and high rent payment advance), social challenges (eviction, unreliable security and floods) as they rent. In addition, the field data showed the various coping strategies for dealing with the challenges.For economic challenges, residents took loans from friends and family, signed under Susu schemes, reduced expenditure among others. Reliance on God, alcoholism andloans were some of the coping strategies for psychological challenges. Residents used burglar proofs for security, raised frontage of doorsteps to prevent floodwater from getting into their rooms, among others, to cope with social challenges faced in renting. The research, therefore recommends that the government institutions responsible for enhancing supply of housing like Ministry of Water Resources, Work and Housing and financial institutions, for instance, Ghana Home Loans Ltd should make mortgage plans more flexible and tailored to suit all income earners. Again, housing policies and frameworks regarding urban housing should be well implemented by the various stakeholders. In addition, rental agents need to form associations or companies and be put under the ministry of local government where their operations can be supervised.