Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies

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    Management and Use of Non-Timber Forest Products (Ntfps) As Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Lawra District, Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2017-07) Sulemana, A.K.
    Rural and deprived communities continue to face limited alternatives to supporting their livelihoods that are largely affected by climate change and variability. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have increasingly been promoted, especially in developing countries, as a sustainable livelihood option for forest resources dependent households. The current study sought to identify and assess the use and management practices of NTFPs as a climate change adaptation strategy in the Lawra District, in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study adopted a case study design with a mixed method approach to data collection. A combination of various data sets including 155 household survey and 5 key-stakeholder interviews with key field observations were used to have firsthand knowledge on the relative spatial distribution of NTFPs. Also, regression, correlations, chi-squares and cross-tabulations were used to established statistical relationships among various variables. Themes were generated using the matrix technique in Microsoft Excel from the in-interviews. The research results showed that over the last 30 years in the Lawra district temperature has increased from 25˚C in 2007 to 30.1˚C in 2014 with rainfall amounts reducing from 1170.6mm in 2008 to 937mm in 2014. According to the residents, this has led to reduced total output from crops yields. Among the adaptation strategies used by residents, NTFPs collection (39.4%) was the highest. Regression analysis showed that both temperature and rainfall were poor predicators of the availability of NTFPs. About 76 NTFPs (Plant and Animal) were identified in the district with Adansonia digitata (baobab), Vitellaria paradoxa (shea), Parkia biglobosa (dawadawa), Physalis peruviana (yellow berries) and Gardenia ternifolia (kazuge) being the most harvested. NTFPs are generally distributed all over the district and designated into parklands at locations where substantial amount of a species is dominant. NTFPS contributes only 1% of the total household annual income but remains significant in the varied non-traded roles v including food supplement, medicine, employment, nutrition, and energy sources. Finally, the study established that the management of NTFPs included both formal and informal institutions, including participation of individual household members. The nascent NTFP industry in the Lawra district faces problems such as marketing and processing challenges and lack of specific policies on NTFPs management. The study recommends a collaborative effort from the government in ensuring local strategies are sustained and improved, increase education and sensitization programs on climate change whiles providing timely weather related information to farmers with agricultural inputs. Finally, the study calls for a nationwide consultation process to draft a national policy on NTFPs management which will provide strong basis for establishing a resilient value chain industry to support rural livelihoods against the impacts of climate change.
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    Effect Of Insanitary Conditions On The Physico Chemical Quality Of Groundwater In Select Coastal Communities In Keta
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Norvivor, F.A.
    Groundwater issues in coastal communities are usually associated with seasonal salinization, due to sea water intrusion and seasonal flooding, however the main objective of this study was to assess the physical and chemical water quality of hand dug wells in Atorkor, Srogbe and Whuti, which are located close to possible contamination sources and further from these contamination sources. Thirty selected hand dug wells in households were used for this study. The uses, dependency, knowledge on possible contamination sources and some aesthetic parameters for water quality were assessed. Important physico chemical water quality parameters namely, pH, temperature, turbidity, TDS, TSS, hardness, conductivity, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, Calcium and Magnesium were assessed and compared with WHO guideline values for drinking water quality. Results from this study showed that, there were possible contamination sources of groundwater in each of the three communities. The local people depend on groundwater abstracted from hand dug wells for domestic purposes such as cooking, washing, and drinking. The study also found out that they had very little knowledge on possible contamination from the identified sources; this was also confirmed by the fact that, they did not treat water before using it for drinking purposes and the fact that, they did not ensure strict sanitary conditions around well head. Physico chemical water parameters analyzed on hand dug wells all wells in Srogbe, Whuti and Atorkor recorded relatively high concentration of conductivity, turbidity, TDS, TSS, Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphates, irrespective of their proximity to potential contamination sources. Nitrates however, were low in all sampling points. Only Phosphate was also particularly high near a specific contamination source. Microbiological analysis, done on some selected wells also showed that irrespective of proximity of contamination sources, microbial contamination was still evident. Therefore, irrespective of the proximity to potential pollution sources, physico chemical water was not significantly affected.
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    Assessment Of Air Quality Impacts On Women And Children In The Accra Metropolis
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Pardie, S.P.P.
    Women and children within developing countries and for that matter Ghana are engaged in domestic and commercial activities that make them prone to inhalation of outdoor particle pollution, which may have effects or exacerbate existing respiratory diseases. It is for this reason that this study investigated the adverse health effects of air quality on women and children. This was done through the measurement of particulate matter sizes less or equal to 10 microns (PM10) on major roadside stations and the collection of respiratory data from various public hospitals. The MiniVol air sampler model TAS - 5.0 was used for collection of PM10 on a 24-hour schedule every sixth day for five (5) months unto a glass fibre filter in which the mass concentration was determined gravimetrically. Respiratory data on women and children composed of diagnoses recorded by the six hospitals around the PM10 sampling stations from 2010 to 2012 were used for the statistical analysis. Questionnaires were distributed to the female population above 15years to ascertain responses on exposure and awareness of Air Pollution. Meteorological data was also acquired to determine whether the changes in temperature and relative humidity have effect on the PM10 concentration and the rate of respiratory cases. Excel and SPSS software were used for the data analysis and to determine the correlation among PM10, meteorological data and respiratory data. The results indicated that respiratory cases were higher in children below five years and in women between the ages 20 and 49 years. Also, majority of the PM10 measurements along roadside stations were above EPA-Ghana, WHO and USNAAQS reference levels and therefore the air quality along major roads are unhealthy and impacting on the health of the largest active reproductive working class of women in our society as well as children that can be described as future leaders. Finally, the correlations among mean PM10 concentration, temperature, relative humidity and respiratory data for the study period were statistically significant (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) indicating an association between the environmental variables.
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    Microbial Quality and Safety of Cooked Food Sold in Selected School Canteens in the Akuapem North Municipality
    (University of Ghana, 2015-06) Owusu, E.
    Improving the microbial quality and safety of cooked food in the school canteen is an effective means of reducing the burden of diarrhoeal diseases among school children. Studies across Africa have highlighted that foods sold on streets pose a great health hazard and contribute significantly to morbidity and even mortality among children. The main objective of this study was to determine the microbiological quality and safety of cooked food sold in canteens in some selected schools to ascertain the safety of such foods. The study also aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of food vendors and students on foodborne diseases and food hygiene in the Akuapem North Municipality. The design of the research was cross-sectional descriptive study which involved field survey and laboratory analysis. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used to select 300 students and 128 food vendors respectively from the 16 schools to answer the questionnaire. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 428 respondents (300 students and 128 food vendors) on their demographic characteristics, knowledge on food hygiene and foodborne diseases. The Codex Alimentarius Commission standard methods for analyzing food samples were used for testing and enumeration of microbes in 288 food samples. Data were analysed using the SPSS (version 16.0) and Microsoft Excel software. The chi squared test was used to determine the relationship between demographic characteristics of food vendors and their knowledge on certain aspects of foodborne diseases. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the relationships among food samples from four school circuits on their mean total microbial contamination. The laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of yeast and moulds, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and other coliform in most of the foods sampled. Salmonella spp. was only present in fufu, red pepper sauce and vegetable salad. Samples of fufu, vegetable salad macaroni and red pepper recorded mean microbial contamination of 6.4 ± 0.40 log10 cfu/g, 6.5 ± 0.49 log10 cfu/g, 6.3± 0.48 log10 cfu/g and 6.5; ± 0.53 log10 cfu/g respectively in the afternoon. Sausage and fried fish also had mean microbial load of 5.6 ± 0.77 log10 cfu/g and 5.5 ± 0.39 log10 cfu/g respectively. Waakye, iced kenkey, banku and kenkey however recorded relatively acceptable level of microbial presence both in the morning and afternoon in the study area. The results further showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the total microbial load in the foods sampled in the morning among the four circuits. There were however significant differences (p < 0.05) in the total microbial load in the foods sampled in the afternoon among the circuits. The microbial contaminations among most of the food samples were quite higher in comparison with the acceptable values of Ghana Standard Authority in the afternoon. The study further showed that almost all the food vendors were females with quite high illiteracy rate. Also, majority of the food vendors exhibited little knowledge on food hygiene and foodborne diseases. On the contrary, students exhibited good knowledge on foodborne diseases. It is concluded that food vendors lack adequate knowledge on food hygiene and foodborne disease and hence foods sold in the canteens are predisposed to microbial contamination. Also since students had adequate knowledge on foodborne diseases and food hygiene, they are bound to abstain from practices that could predispose them to foodborne diseases. In addition, the high microbial load found in most of the food implies that cooked food in the school canteens are of low microbial quality especially in the afternoons. It is recommended among others that regular quality checks are conducted by the regulatory authorities to ensure food safety in the school canteens and that School Health Education Programme (SHEP) coordinators be empowered through capacity building to monitor and supervise the activities of the food vendors.
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    A Comparative Assessment of Phytoremediation and Slow Sand Filtration Technologies for the Secondary Treatment of Sewage Effluent and Public Views on the Use of Treated Effluent
    (University Of Ghana, 2014-07) Adraki, N.
    This study evaluated and compared the performance efficiency of both technologies for treating sewage effluent from a Biogas facility at Valley View University (VVU) and also assessed public perception about the use of the treated effluent. Samples of the sewage effluent from the VVU Biogas facility were subjected to slow sand filtration over a ten week period using river bed sand and gravels, and phytoremediation using two plants, Pistia stratiotes L and Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Pistia stratiotes survived in the raw effluent for five days, while Ipomoea aquatica survived longer (four weeks). The findings revealed that both plants reduce contaminant levels. However, Ipomoea aquatica had higher removal efficiency for phosphates (16.07%) and nitrates (100%). Pistia stratiotes on the other hand was more efficient at improving electrical conductivity (55.45%). The study showed that both slow sand filtration and phytoremediation using Ipomoea aquatica are equally efficient at improving turbidity and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). There were significant differences in values obtained for dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrates and phosphates. Based on the differences, SSF performed better at removing nitrates and phosphates while Ipomoea aquatica did better at enhancing dissolved oxygen. No significant differences were recorded for electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), colour, and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). However, when the means were compared, SSF was better at removing TSS, BOD and colour whilst Ipomoea aquatica was better at removing EC and TDS. Both technologies were successful at reducing microbial load. This study also revealed that the parameters analyzed on the effluent discharged from the VVU Biogas facility fell within acceptable guidelines with the exception of EC. Majority of respondents agree that water is a scarce resource and that the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on water cannot be achieved. Majority of people interviewed support the use of wastewater for medium contact options such as fire-fighting (71.6%), industry (52.9%), construction of buildings (71.6%), toilet flushing (81.4%), commercial car wash (46.1%), public parks and sports field irrigation (54.9%). Support for high contact options such as swimming pool, aquifer augmentation and laundry was low; 10.7%, 29.4% and 34.3% respectively and this is because respondents consider the treated water to be detrimental to health. Respondents supported the idea of wastewater reuse for reasons of water conservation and minimization of dependency on treated water whilst environmental protection ranked as the least frequent response. Education is needed to sensitize the public on treatment and use of wastewater.
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    Assessing the Impact of an Operating Tailings Storage Facility on Catchment Surface and Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District of the Western Region of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2016-03) Acheampong, E.A.; Nyame, F. K.; Nukpezah, D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environmental and Sanitation Studies
    The study assessed the impact of an operating Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District, Western Ghana, on catchment surface and groundwater quality. Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500m radius of the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility. Samples were analyzed for pH, true colour, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury) and cyanide (weak acid dissociable cyanide (WAD), free cyanide and total cyanide) using standard procedures. Structured questionnaires were also administered to one hundred and twenty inhabitants living close to the TSF to solicit their opinion regarding the impact of the facility (TSF) on water quality in the communities out of which one hundred people responded. Results obtained from the analysis of water samples from the TSF-DW indicated that pH values range from 7.4 – 8.9 (mean 8.2), EC 1340 – 1630 μS/cm ( mean 1507.1 μS/cm), TSS 19 – 105 mg/l (mean 55.3 mg/l), arsenic 0.17 - 5 mg/l (mean 1.26 mg/l), cadmium 0.0001- 0.0004 mg/l (mean 0.0002 mg/l), copper 0.058 - 0.35 mg/l (mean 0.15 mg/l), mercury <0.0001 - 0.0002 mg/l ( mean 0.002 mg/l), Weak Acid Dissociable (WAD) cyanide <0.005 - 1.04 mg/l (mean 1.04 mg/l), total cyanide <0.0005 - 1.55 mg/l (mean 0.59 mg/l) and free cyanide <0.005 - 1.04 mg/l (mean 0.38 mg/l). pH values of surface water samples collected ranged from 6.3 -7.3 (mean 6.7), EC 55.5 – 185.7 μS/cm (mean 116.8), TSS 10.7- 990 mg/l (mean 230 mg/l), arsenic 0.001- 0.021 mg/l (mean 0.021 mg/l), copper The study assessed the impact of an operating Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District, Western Ghana, on catchment surface and groundwater quality. Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500m radius of the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility. Samples were analyzed for pH, true colour, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury) and cyanide (weak acid dissociable cyanide (WAD), free cyanide and total cyanide) using standard procedures. Structured questionnaires were also administered to one hundred and twenty inhabitants living close to the TSF to solicit their opinion regarding the impact of the facility (TSF) on water quality in the communities out of which one hundred people responded. Results obtained from the analysis of water samples from the TSF-DW indicated that pH values range from 7.4 – 8.9 (mean 8.2), EC 1340 – 1630 μS/cm ( mean 1507.1 μS/cm), TSS 19 – 105 mg/l (mean 55.3 mg/l), arsenic 0.17 - 5 mg/l (mean 1.26 mg/l), cadmium 0.0001- 0.0004 mg/l (mean 0.0002 mg/l), copper 0.058 - 0.35 mg/l (mean 0.15 mg/l), mercury <0.0001 - 0.0002 mg/l ( mean 0.002 mg/l), Weak Acid Dissociable (WAD) cyanide <0.005 - 1.04 mg/l (mean 1.04 mg/l), total cyanide <0.0005 - 1.55 mg/l (mean 0.59 mg/l) and free cyanide <0.005 - 1.04 mg/l (mean 0.38 mg/l). pH values of surface water samples collected ranged from 6.3 -7.3 (mean 6.7), EC 55.5 – 185.7 μS/cm (mean 116.8), TSS 10.7- 990 mg/l (mean 230 mg/l), arsenic 0.001- 0.021 mg/l (mean 0.021 mg/l), copper mining industry’s best practices by ARL with regards to TSF management could also be a contributing factor to the quality of water bodies in close proximity to the facility. However, inhabitants living close to the TSF believe their water quality has been impacted adversely by the facility with five percent (5%) of the respondents relating the impact to smell, 78% to colour and 17% to odour.
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    Environmental Impact of Small-Scale Salt Mining on Socio-Economic Activities in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District in the Central Region
    (University of Ghana, 2004-06) Anipam, A.D.; Nyame, F.K.; Ofoli-Danson, P.K.; Aseidu, A.B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies
    The study involved analysis of water samples from wells, salt pans and lagoons as well as soil samples in the proximity of areas in communities where small-scale salt mining activities is undertaken in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District. In addition, a social survey and detailed observation o f anthropogenic activities were also made to determine the effects o f small-scale salt mining on the environment, and how these environmental impacts affect socio-economic activities in the study area. Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area. Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area.Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area. The nutrient contents o f the soil in the study area were not far below the Booker Tropical Soil Manual acceptable range for most crops. The organic contents of the soil are, however, very low with values ranging between 0.2% and 2.0% and 0.3% and 3.4% recorded. Recorded conductivity values were between 80mS/cm and 5430mS/cm. Values recorded for nitrogen and potassium were between 0.01% and 0.1 % and 10.5 and 66.5mg/kg, respectively. This is an indication that soils in the study area are not fertile probably due to the activities o f small-scale salt mining in the study area. Gardening at the immediate outskirts o f the communities, which was a previous pastime of most inhabitants, has reduced. Those who are involved in full time farming are also moving further inland to farm. The social survey and the observations made indicated that large tracts o f mangrove forest along the banks o f the lagoons have been cleared to make way for the construction o f salt pans. The mangroves served as source o f fuel for domestic use in some o f the communities as well serve as firewood for fish smoking and boiling of brine in the production o f salt. Again, areas occupied by the mangroves served as hunting grounds for fish, crabs and migratory birds which are either consumed or sold for money. Destruction o f mangroves has led to a reduction in the above mentioned activities. Despite the apparently negative impacts that small-scale salt mining may be having on the environment, many inhabitants in the study area, especially women still want salt mining activities to be undertaken of the benefits derived by way o f employment and income. Construction o f salt pans in the coastal scrub and grassland vegetation belt, and the replanting o f mangrove trees in abandoned salt pans, should be encouraged to reduce the impact o f small-scale salt mining on the environment.