Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies

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    An Assessment Of Environmental Impact Of Mine Blasting In New Abirem And Its Environs In The Eastern Region Of Ghana
    (University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Avornyotse, C.K.
    Blasting can lead to morbidity and mortality of human as well as damage of properties when not monitored and managed properly. Mine Blasting activities generate seismic effects including vibrations, air overpressure, flyrock, fumes and dusts. The environment can be polluted by blasting residues of rocks like hexogen, trinitrotoluene and octogen which have caused a lot of biodegradation and hazardous effects on ecosystem survival in a mine vicinity. The seismic effects also result in leaching of chemicals to pollute both surface and underground waters in New Abirem and its environs which lead to reduction of terrestrial plant biomass and fertility of earthworm. In view of this, the study was conducted to assess the ecological impact of mine blasting residues, ground vibration, air blast and heavy metals on the ecosystems around Newmont by collecting and analyzing water samples in three communities (New Abirem, Afosu and Adausena) as well as measured seismic effects. The noise and vibrations were determined by using the Seismograph from twenty (20) blast shot at the mine pit from October, 2020 to March, 2021. Focus group discussions and household interviews techniques were utilized to assess community perceptions of mine blasting effects on the mine environment. Physicochemical parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, ammonia and nitrate, were determined. Heavy metal concentrations in 108 water samples collected from five different locations, made up of two sites along one of the tributaries of Birim River, one site each from two streams, and the Newmont pit were determined using the technique of Milestone Acid Digestion Microwave ETHOS 900 followed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The data was examined with a one-way analysis of variance and significant differences of p < 0.05 were adopted as well as Tukey’s HSD to separate means. The average blast vibration measured at the compliance locations AF-BMP (Afosu), NABBMP (New Abirem) and AD-BMP (Adausena) were compared with 2mm/s [Explosives Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177), Section 199]. The average blast air overpressure measured at AF-BMP (Afosu), NAB-BMP (New Abirem) and AD-BMP (Adausena) were also compared with 117 dBL [Explosives Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177), Section 199]. The mean, minimum and maximum blast on air overpressure and ground vibration for each monitoring point respectively were measured and the results were found to be within mining explosives limits. The physicochemical parameters mean level were ranged 24.93 – 27.53 0C (water temperature), 4.66 - 5.36 mg/L (Dissolved Oxygen), 109.79 – 125.98 μS/cm (EC), 7.51 – 7.88 (pH), 0.01 – 0.53 mg/L (NH3) and 0.22 – 0.42 mg/L (NO3). The results revealed significant difference in all the physicochemical parameters (p < 0.05). The Dissolved Oxygen concentrations at all the five sampling sites were below 5 mg/L which indicated that the water was polluted and adversely affected aquatic life. The pH measurements in the site of Holy Child and Afosu have slightly acidic pH. The minimum and maximum concentration levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr and Mn in the water were (0.01- 0.02) mgL-1, (0.02 – 0.33) mgL-1, (0.08 – 0.93) mgL-1, (0.01) mgL-1 and (0.02 – 0.10) mgL-1 respectively and there were significant differences between the various sites (p < 0.05) compared with the control. The mean levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr and Mn were recorded to be within the permissible limits. The degree of contamination levels identified in a location are categorized as follows: unpolluted (Cd < 1), moderately polluted (Cd =1 - 3) and strongly polluted (Cd > 3). The calculated degree of contamination index, Cd values for Holy Child, Aboabo and Adenkyensu locations were greater than 3 mgL-1, the criteria limit for drinking, therefore sites were strongly contaminated. In addition, the pollution index of heavy metals in the water samples from all locations used were greater than the critical value for drinking water, 100 mgL-1 except Newmont site which recorded 93.91 mgL-1. Generally, the blasting operation at Newmont, Akyem mine is within the Explosives Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177), Section 199 as well as the international Standard quoted AS 2187.2 – 1993. It is recommended that water used for drinking, domestic chores, agricultural (irrigation) or industrial use by communities along the tributaries of the Birim River must be treated before use. There is also a need for research and academic institutions to support nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in their efforts to protect and manage water resources through research for long-term sustainable management.
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    Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) As a Sustainability Tool for Policy and Decision Making: A Case of the Atiwa Forest Management in the Abuakwa South Municipality of Eastern Region of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2019-07) Oppong, J.C.
    Environmental degradation and the unsustainable exploitation of non-renewable resources continue to increase to satisfy socio-economic demands which call on a National Development Agenda to make use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as sustainability tools imperative. The use of these tools is to balance environmental and economic sustainability with institutional capacity building, and social cohesion to direct the sustainable management of natural resources and development planning. A study to assess the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a sustainability tool in managing the Atiwa Forest reserve and its resources is reported in this thesis. The Atiwa Forest reserve, located in the Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana, is one of the few primary highland forests in West Africa and the only remaining type in Ghana. It is also a biodiversity hotspot in the IUCN biodiversity conservation list, and serves as the source of 3 major rivers in Ghana; Birim, Ayensu and the Densu Rivers, which together serve the potable water needs of about 20% of Ghana’s population. The Atiwa Forest reserve is known to be holding a chunk of the nation’s minerals like bauxite, gold, diamond, and kaolin, which is currently being targeted by the Government for massive exploitation, especially bauxite, to drive the nation’s developmental agenda. Specifically, the study determined the readiness of the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly to mainstream SEA in the sustainable management of the natural resources of the Atiwa forest. Further, community perception on this level of sustainability of forest management was assessed, as well as rainfall and temperature variability in relation to forest cover. Finally, carbon stock of forest trees and soil were assessed in three land cover types as part of Ghana’s efforts to meet its intended Nationally Determined Contributions (iNDCs), an obligation in the Paris Agreement (2015). The research employed simple random and purposive sampling methodology for data acquisition, sought the knowledge of local communities and the formal institutions related to managing the resource as well. Landsat imagery was acquired for the years 1986, 2003 and 2017 to analyze the trend in land cover changes in Atiwa forest. Allometric standard methods were used to estimate tree biomass and carbon, necromass biomass and carbon and carbon stocks of soil (Chave et al. (2005); Pearson et al. (2005); Walkley-Black (2015) and Pearson et al. (2005). Expansion factor on per hectare scale and the potential carbon weight that could be lost to the atmosphere were estimated using the Walker et al. (2011) equation. A one-way ANOVA was performed to determine the mean differences between various environmental (ecological and social) parameters as well. Results indicate that SEA mainstreaming in the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly is being fairly implemented, with public participation, institutional capacity building (in operational logistics) as well as economic sustainability (alternative livelihood support projects) lacking. In addition, there is a significant improvement in forest cover (2003 to 2017) after a significant decline from 1986 to 2003. Further, the state of the forest has improved as of 2017 by a significant margin with a consequent improvement in tree carbon stocks between 1986 and 2017 although bare/settlement land continues to increase since 1986. Results from Pearson correlation between soil organic carbon and tree parameters (height, density per hectare and dbh) showed no significant correlation to the value of p˂ 0.01. The highest correlation was 0.950 tree density per hectare with the least value of tree height at 0.007. Similarly, simple and multiple regression analysis between soil carbon and tree parameters showed coefficient determinants to be 0.008 and 0.260. The highest adjusted R2 for coefficiency determination was 0.054 which was recorded for tree height only, tree height and tree density per hectare, tree height and diameter at breast height as well as tree height, diameter at breast height and density per hectare. The least adjusted R2 for coefficiency determination was recorded for tree density per hectare only at -0.015. Findings from the study, however, did not agree entirely with the progress and success of SEA specifically on the Atiwa Forest reserve management as indicated in the 2014-2017 Medium Term Development Plan report of the Abuakwa South Municipality. The report showed steady efforts in maintaining environmental sustainability which corroborated the findings of the study. Also, results on other pillars like social inclusion and institutional capacity building in conserving the forest reserve showed poorly in the findings of the study which did not corroborate the progress report of Abuakwa South Municipality for the 2014-2017 Medium Term Development Plan. The relationship between soil organic carbon stock, tree density per hectare, tree height and tree diameter at breast height were statistically not significant at 0.950, 0.007 and 0.88 respectively. These were similar to the findings of Zhou et al. (2012), Li et al. (2013) and Djagbletey (2015). The study concluded there is a fair level of implementation of Strategic Environmental Assessment in the management of natural resources within the Atewa Forest which was evident in the significant increase in forest tree stocks and its subsequent increase in tree and soil carbon stocks. Nonetheless, it is recommended that the Government must strengthen its economic sustainability framework to decrease extensive exploitation on the forest cover. Finally, benefits accrued from the conservation must be equitably shared with the forest communities to ensure social inclusion and promote participation in the efforts towards conservation of the forest.
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    Impact of Climate-Smart Stoves on Household Air Pollution in Asuogyaman District, Eastern Region, Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2019-07) Mawusi, S.K.
    The intense extraction of fuelwood and its use in Traditional Three-Stone Stoves (TTSS) for cooking by riparian communities along the Volta Lake is deemed to be linked with deforestation and the release of harmful gases that influence household air pollution and water level of the Volta Lake which is vital to hydropower generation. This study evaluated the impact of introduced improved local cookstoves christened “Climate-Smart Stoves” (CSS) on household air pollution, fuelwood consumption, cooking time and the health of residents of Asuogyaman District of Ghana. The study employed both purposive and simple random sampling procedures to select 20 cookstoves-comprising 10 CSS and 10 TTSS for controlled cooking to assess the performance of and emissions reduction by either stove. Landsat imagery for 2014, 2016 and 2018 was used to ascertain the extent of changes in forest cover which is tied to deforestation in the district. Records on Respiratory Tract Infections (RTI) were obtained from health facilities in the district. The results revealed that CSS was efficient at reducing carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions (PM2.5) but consumed 36% more fuelwood during cooking, and users spent 44% more time in cooking than TTSS users. Also, out of a total of 188,309 RTI cases reported at health facilities, 41.38% were males whiles 58.62% were females and the burden of RTI fell disproportionately on females between ages of 20-34 years and children between the ages of 1- 4 years. It is recommended that efforts should be made to provide CSS to all households in the district to reduce noxious emissions that harm respiratory health. However, a second look at the engineering of CSS should be taken to improve fuel consumption and saving cooking time.
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    Adaptation Strategies of Cocoa Farmers to Climate Change at New Tafo in East Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2018-07) Seidu, A.
    The main issue of this thesis was to assess the adaptation strategies of cocoa farmers and the external support system in the face of climate change. The study was aimed at assessing the adaptation strategies of cocoa farmers to climate change at New Tafo in Ghana, the influence of the adaptation strategies on cocoa yield and the roles of local institutions in cocoa farmers’ adaptation strategies. Mixed method considering both quantitative and qualitative research design was adopted. With the quantitative method, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to cocoa farmers to assess their adaptation strategies to climate change in the community. A semi structured questionnaire was also designed and administered to local institutions to assess their roles in cocoa farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. In the study, the Slovin formula was used to determine the sample size where 120 cocoa farmers were attained from 171 sample population. Supply response model which is based on the production theory was used to assess the influence of adaptation strategy on cocoa yield. Agronomic practices were more important adaptation strategies than socio economic practices. The results of the regression model showed that sale quantity of cocoa beans, practice of soil conservation and agroforestry and fertilizer application were critical in high cocoa yields. The local institutions studied provided mainly technical information, financial assistance and material inputs towards cocoa farmers’ adaptation to climate change. The study recommends that socio-economic factors such as religion and finance should be considered in stakeholder choice of adaptation interventions in cocoa farming communities. Local agricultural extension workers should be supported to provide farmers with effective technical information on inputs and managerial practices in relation to climate change adaptation measures. Farmers’ concerns should be adequately integrated during the design and implementation of climate change adaptation policies.