The Study of Flood Effects on The Environment and Livelihoods in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.560Keywords:
Environs. floods. Haatso. infrastructure. livelihoods.Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the repercussions of flooding on the environment and the livelihoods within the Haatso community and its immediate surroundings, situated in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
Design/ Methodology/ Approach: We employed purposive sampling to conduct household-based interviews with 61 individuals across five residential areas. We used semi-structured questionnaires to collect their perspectives on the 2022 flooding situation within the Haatso communities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze disaggregated data such as demographic characteristics and other relevant themes directly bearing on flooding and flood vulnerability.
Findings: The Haatso community and its immediate environs would continue to experience floods recurring annually due mainly to drain-related and unplanned infrastructure issues. Hence, the detrimental consequences of floods on infrastructure and businesses, resulting in hardships in the community are expected to persist.
Research Limitation/Implication: The approach utilized in this study can be adapted for similar endeavours aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding on both the environment and livelihoods within various communities and their immediate environs.
Practical Implication: The causes, rate of occurrence, and adaptive and coping mechanisms of floods ought to be known to provide additional knowledge on combatting floods.
Social Implication: Providing early warning alerts increases survival schemes and hence decreases the direct and indirect losses caused by annual floods on communities.
Originality/Value: This research submits a more pragmatic, holistic, and realistic survival strategy for the Haatso community and its immediate environs as compared to generalized studies, which did not consider directly local settings.
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