Impact of Flooding and Bank Erosion on Livelihoods at the Lower Pra Basin

Abstract

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.