Ghana Journal of Geography

Barriers to Climate Change Communications

Godfred Osei Boakye, Joseph Oppong Wiafe, Foster Frimpong — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study employed narrative review to discuss three main barriers that constrain a change from climate change-related behaviours to pro-environmental behaviours. After reviewing 100 environmental communication and climate change scientific papers (1990–2022), the study found that conflicting values and social dilemmas, psychological denial, and the absence of emotional engagement are major barriers affecting the smooth dissemination of climate change-related messages. The study aimed to create awareness of how these barriers occur and the best solutions to deal with them. From the results, the mismatch of values between climate message and its audience leads to conflicting values and social dilemmas. Additionally, lack of goal specifications, fear, blaming, and negative criticism also cause psychological denial and the rejection of climate change messages. The study recommends the need for action-directed messages that will identify
and resolve specific causes, effects, and outcomes of behaviours causing climate change. Also, the application of strategies such as appropriate frames and goal specifications are recommended.

The African Manatee (Trichechus Senegalensis, link 1795) in the Ramsar site of Setté Cama: Case at Lake Cachimba

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN red list and is highly protected in Gabon. Gabon could be home to one of the highest densities of manatees remaining in Africa. Many people agree on the presence of manatee populations in several lakes and lagoons in Gabon. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution and abundance of manatees by monitoring. The study was carried out in the catchment area of Lake Cachimba at the Setté Cama Ramsar site. We used three data collection methods: secondary data collection, boat surveys and surveys of markets and landing sites. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, manatee encounter rates and carcass encounter rates (number of carcasses/km of river). The chi-square (χ2) goodness-of-fit test was used to determine whether there were significant differences in the abundance of manatee encounter rates between Lake Cachimba and the Mbissi River. The results showed that manatee hotspots in Lake Cachimba are located near the mouth of the Duebi
River, along the shore of the village of Cachimba. In addition, fishing activities are a potential threat to the African manatee.

Investigating Indigenous Knowledge Developed by Agro- Pastoralists to Cope with Climate Change and Variability in the Agro-Pastoralism Region of Rwanda

Théogène Habakubaho, Emmanuel Patroba Mhache, Josephat Saria — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The main objective of this research was to assess indigenous knowledge developed in the agro-pastoralism region of Rwanda to cope with climate change. The study was conducted in drought-prone area of Nyagatare and Gatsibo Districts. Four hundred and eighty (480) households of agro-pastoralists were sampled randomly in 40 villages and interviewed. Focus Group Discussion and interviews with key informants were also used for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 28.0.1. Results indicated that local communities are traditionally using cloud/sky colour (80.6%), change of temperature during the day (66.5%), direction and strength of winds (58.8%) and lightning and thunder (46.3%) in weather forecasting. Further, locally made pesticides (42.9%), burning of pastures and farm residues (41.3%), early handweeding (59.8%), early planting (61.5%), indigenous medicines (33.3%) and indigenous crops and livestock breeds (61.0%) are used for diseases and pest management. Further, farming and grazing along rivers and wetlands (61.3%) and tolerant or early maturing crops (51.9%) are used for drought. Based on these results, the researcher concludes that there is evidence of the role of indigenous knowledge in adaptation to climate change. I, therefore, recommend that indigenous knowledge should be incorporated into the adaptation process, especially at the community level. This would include formal recognition, empowerment of its custodians, and simplified training and awareness.

Multi-stakeholder approach for dealing with Trafficking in Persons: The case of Ghana

Leander Kandilige, Geraldine Asiwome Ampah — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Trafficking in persons has posed challenges to governments and security agencies globally. Advocacy, investigative and prosecutorial attempts have been deployed by specialised agencies in an attempt to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks that perpetuate trafficking. However, the ‘silo’ approach has yielded limited results. Using mainly qualitative research methods among representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies as well as officials from non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and development partners, we argue that multi-stakeholder collaborations are essential for the co-creation of a coherent solution to the menace of Trafficking in Persons (TIP). We conclude that multistakeholder collaborations and the ‘4 Ps’ strategy of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership within the Ghanaian context have shown that adequate resourcing of the national plan and close monitoring and evaluation of implementation activities could provide the best possible pathway to dealing with these seemingly intractable societal problems. Moreover, we conclude that the multi-stakeholder approach potentially offers access to more resources by drawing on the full range of technical, human, knowledge, physical and financial resources embedded in all sectors and among all actors.

Rental and Tenement Housing Problems in Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State

Jolly Osaretin Egharevba, Prince Osarobo Edohen — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Rental/tenement housing problem is a persistent sustainable development challenge that affects livability, particularly in developing countries. The research examined the availability of rental housing, accessibility of rental housing location and neighbourhood facilities, environmental condition and overcrowding as factors of rental/tenement housing problems in Sapele Local Government Area. A total of 384 questionnaires were systematically distributed to household heads and 339 were returned. Data were analysed using both inferential and descriptive statistics. The result revealed that there is inadequacy in the availability of rental housing, and that the location of rental housing is highly accessible and rentals have high accessibility to neighbourhood facilities. It was found that there is an association between road conditions and the level of impediment to rental housing unit. The findings further showed that there was low crime rate and the study
area had low susceptibility to flooding. Rental housing was found not to be affordable since a higher percentage of residents spends more than 30% of their income on rent and the maximum occupancy ratio was 2 persons per room and of such, there is no problem of overcrowding and privacy. The findings also revealed that there is a link between the number of persons per room and the level of privacy. It is recommended that government should be more involved in the provision of low-income rental housing units and formulation of rental policy.

Domestic Water Conservation in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria: Perceptions and Practices

Acinwu Ezekiel Ripiye, Abigail Abenu — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Many regions in Nigeria currently experience physical or economic water scarcity; a situation that is
expected to worsen because of the nation’s rapid population growth, which has resulted in increased pressure on available freshwater resources. This study, therefore, examines water conservation practices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), one of the fastest-growing areas in Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to 649 respondents, from across the six Area Councils that make up the Territory. The findings revealed that water investments in the FCT have not yielded 100% public water supply coverage for residents. About half of the respondents (48.7%) reduced their water use by minimizing the water used for washing, and a slightly higher proportion (53.5%) minimized water used for bathing. While rain harvesting was the most widespread conservation practice, with 65.3% of the respondents adopting it, the least practised conservation method is wastewater reuse, where only about 41% of the respondents adopted it. Although the
majority of the respondents were literates, education did not impact their conservation practice. The age and gender of respondents played no significant role in the adoption of conservation practices. More public awareness and water education are needed to promote greater domestic water conservation among residents.

Seasonal Differences in Rainfall Distribution Within the Bawku Area in the Savanna Belt of Ghana

Kow Ansah-Mensah, Yaw Asamoah — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Empirical evidence suggests that temperatures are continuously rising in the savannah areas of Ghana and impacting negatively on residents’ livelihood activities. However, there is paucity of information on the wet and dry seasons’ rate of wetness or dryness in the driest belt of Ghana. Meanwhile, residents of the area are mainly rained agriculturalists. We employed gauge station rainfall and temperature data from Ghana Meteorological Agency to assess the seasonal rainfall characteristics of the Bawku area using XLSTAT and DrinC software. Results from the rainfall anomalies show persistent dryness (-0.017) in the area during the dry season and continuous wetness in the wet season (0.021). Evapotranspiration was consistently higher in the dry season at a rate of 2.6% (0.26) yearly as well as a high rate of aridity [AI] (0.00≤AI≤0.09) in the dry season and low aridity (0.56 ≤AI ≤1.13) during the wet season. Following the reduction in the amount of rainfall, we can conclude that Bawku area is continuously drying amidst the changing climate. It is recommended that the ministry of agriculture should prioritise the construction of mechanised dams or wells and expand irrigation projects in the area to reduce the climate change effects on the livelihood of the residents especially in the dry season.

Environmental Effect of Quarry Site on the Adjoining Neighborhood in Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria

Jimoh Umar, Oluwabukola Oriri — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed the environmental impact of the quarry site on the adjoining neighbourhood in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, and Oyo State. The healthy city concept provided an anchor for the research. The mixed-methods and cross-sectional survey research design were used. Primary and secondary data sources were used. Using systematic random technique, three hundred and eleven (311) copies of questionnaires were administered to households in the selected houses within 1km of a purposively selected quarry site. The variables that were investigated include the socio-economic characteristics, challenges associated with quarry sites, quarrying activities effect on human properties and psychological health, the coping mechanisms adopted by the people in the neighbourhood. The study revealed that residents of the neighbourhood close to the quarry site were faced with the following prevalent challenges; ground vibration as a result of blasting (FEI 4.81); noise from heavy machines, hauling and processing vehicles, as well as rock blasting (FEI 4.66); quarrying activities producing noise (FEI 4.23). Therefore, there should be more proactive measure in enforcing the environmental protection laws and regulations guiding the location of quarry sites.