Ghana Journal of Geography

Spatial Patterns of Urban Expansion and Domestic Solid Waste Management in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The increase in population in the Tamale Metropolitan Area has resulted in rapid urbanization accompanied with poor services provision. This study examined the pattern of urban expansion and household solid waste management in the Metropolis. The study employed a mixed method involving 100 household respondents sampled conveniently to respond to questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered in four communities (Zoozugu, Manguli, Sakasaka and Aboabo) which were selected through stratified sampling. The questionnaires were supplemented by key informant interviews at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The pattern of expansion of the Metropolis was studied by extracting built-up areas from satellite images for the years 2004, 2014 and 2022. The results indicated that the built area increased from 3,745.71 ha of land in 2004 to 5,697.45 ha of land in 2014 and from 5,697.45 ha in 2014 to 8,447.67 ha in 2022. The time series analysis of the urban expansion maps further showed linear growth and peri-urbanization in the area. The results from the questionnaires indicated that rural-urban migration is the root cause of expansion. It is shown that urban expansion has negatively affected household solid waste management in the metropolis because of the lack of infrastructure in response to the increase in population growth of the city.

Environmental Impact of Oil Pollution on Income and Livelihood Sustainability in Rural Communities of the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

Tonbra Robert Odubo — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The environment of the Niger Delta region has been devastated by oil pollution for years, leading to problems of sustainable traditional livelihoods and poor socio-economic circumstances. Though the pollution started with oil exploration and production activities of multinational oil companies, the sources of oil pollution increased years later to include activities, such as oil bunkering and artisanal crude oil refining. This has resulted in a further degradation of the environment and destruction of livelihoods. This paper compared the environmental impact of oil pollution on income and sustainable livelihoods before and during the era of artisanal crude oil refining in the Niger Delta region. The cross-sectional survey research design was used for the study. 314 respondents actively participated in the research. Respondents were drawn from six communities in the Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States. Both primary and secondary data were used. Focus group discussions and structured interview schedules were the instruments used for the collection of the primary data. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to test if artisanal crude oil refining, a major source of oil pollution, has a significant impact on income. The test revealed that the activity has a significant impact on income. From the study, oil pollution also affects forests and biodiversity, occupational tools, financial capacity and human health. It was thus, recommended that government should provide relevant infrastructure, credit facilities, modular refineries and other things to discourage artisanal crude oil refining and boost farming and fishing to ensure the sustainability of the traditional livelihood strategies in the Niger Delta region.

Empowering Community-Based Forest Management for the Sustainability of Community Forests in Tanzania.

Faraja Sanga — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) in Tanzania serves as an opportunity to ensure the sustainability of community forests. Therefore, the paper interrogates the empowerment of CBFM for the sustainability of community forests in rural Tanzania. A mixed research approach was applied to achieve this goal. Using this approach, both secondary and primary data were collected. The secondary data were collected through a review of the existing literature on the subject matter. In contrast, the primary data were collected through household surveys, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. The data were collected from 160 respondents residing in the study area. The findings revealed that CBFM played a critical role in the maintenance of community forests. It was further shown that 66% of villagers received information about CBFM through village meetings. This contributed to raising awareness, which led to about 75% of villagers participating in forest conservation activities. Therefore, the sustainability of the community forest was determined by the participation of villagers in CBFM activities. It is concluded that empowering CBFM is essential for the sustainability of community forests.

Traffic Flow Analysis and Congestion Issues in Lokoja City, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Nurudeen Adesola Malik — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The considerable traffic congestion on some roads in Lokoja city of Kogi State, Nigeria prompted this study. This paper thus, aims to analyze the traffic flow and congestion issues, particularly on the radial and axial roads in the town. The study's objectives are to identify the characteristics and condition of road infrastructure; assess the variation in congestion on axial and radial roads; identify the key factors contributing to traffic congestion; and the effects and management techniques of traffic congestion. A purposive sampling was used to select six roads comprising 3 each of the radial and axial roads with a noticeable amount of traffic. The study employs accidental sampling to administer 267 and 99 copies of the questionnaire to the commuters and operators on the selected roads respectively. Findings of the study reveal that the roads are of good width, (20-22.5m) comprising of 4 lanes for radial roads and 2 lanes for axial roads, but the incidence of potholes is numerous and up to 95 on radial roads. It, however, constitutes a great threat to smooth rides for vehicle operators, thereby increasing the possibility of traffic congestion. Traffic counts study shows that vehicles plying the radial road were higher (504, 426) than that of the axial roads (262,469). At the same time, the afternoon peak hour (4-5 pm) generates a higher traffic density than the morning peak period (7-8 am) on both radial and axial routes. Further analysis shows that disobedience to traffic rules and poor transport design and planning amidst increasing usage of vehicles contributed to the traffic congestion encountered on the roadways. The study, therefore, recommended the need for control measures such as strict enforcement of traffic laws, provision of traffic warden and lights, parking restriction, and rehabilitation of roads ravaged by potholes.

Evaluation of Water Access for Livestock Index in Range Lands of SemiArid Areas of Monduli District, Arusha Region, Tanzania.

Fredrick A. Mfinanga — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Various frameworks with different indicators are employed to evaluate water access in households and communities. However, approaches specifically designed for determining water access for livestock by pastoralist households in semi-arid areas are limited. The study was conducted in Monduli District, Tanzania. The objective of the study was to establish the levels of water access for livestock by pastoralist households in rangelands of semi-arid areas. Through a household survey, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 367 households in seven villages. Data were analysed by using frequencies and counts. In addition, multinomial logit latent class regression models were used to determine the levels of water access for livestock by household. The study found four sources of water access for livestock; namely the leading class of high access of water with low quality 31.4%, followed by the low level of water access with multiple use 26.43%. The lowest level is the category of high access, but less affordable with multiple use 24.5% and 17.7% low access with high quality of water for livestock. The study further showed that Makuyuni ward had higher water access than Moita. The study recommends construction of both improved and unimproved water sources for livestock such as boreholes and charco dams through collaboration between the community and Monduli District Council.

Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Water Hyacinth on Asa River, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Toluwalope Mubo Agaja — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims at assessing the spatio-temporal impact of water hyacinth on the Asa River, Ilorin, Kwara State. The objectives are to examine spatio- temporal distribution of water hyacinth between 2000 and 2020; determine the rate of change in water hyacinth distribution in the study area; and forecast water hyacinth coverage on the river course by year 2030. Satellite image covering the dam for specific duration was used for determining the change and rate of change in spread of water hyacinth on the dam. The satellite image was sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) earth explorer. Linear regression was used to forecast the spread of Hyacinth by the year 2030. The study reveals that water hyacinth distribution increases around the river from 2000 to 2020. As at 2000, the portion of the dam overgrown with water hyacinth was less than 0.028 sq km of the area covered by the river and increased to 0.664, and 2.735 sq km in the 2009 and 2020 respectively. The increase in water hyacinth coverage began at the downstream of the river where pollutants are deposited before engulfing the surroundings of the river. The forecast shows that Water hyacinth will cover about 3.9 sq.km by 2030 if no measures is put in place to mitigate the current growth rate. The study concludes that water hyacinth covers Asa River and recommends the implementation of an integrated management approach that combines mechanical, biological, and chemical control methods to effectively manage water hyacinth infestations in the Asa River.