ABSTRACT To reduce deforestation along the Volta Lake and evapotranspiration of water in the Akosombo reservoir, the Volta River Authority (VRA) embarked on a reforestation project. However, the reforestation project was thwarted by the over reliance on trees for firewood usage in Traditional Three stone stoves (T3SS) in communities around the Volta Lake. The VRA then introduced Improved Cook stoves (ICS) which was believed to consume less firewood in communities along the Volta Lake in the B...
ABSTRACT Women and children within developing countries and for that matter Ghana are engaged in domestic and commercial activities that make them prone to inhalation of outdoor particle pollution, which may have effects or exacerbate existing respiratory diseases. It is for this reason that this study investigated the adverse health effects of air quality on women and children. This was done through the measurement of particulate matter sizes less or equal to 10 microns (PM10) on major roa...
ABSTRACT This study "environmental education and students part1_·i, 17ation towards sustainable environmental development in AMAC ", ,/ras aimc. i at determining the level of Environmental Education and Participation amongst students of secondary schools and their contribution toward sustainable environmental development. The specific objectives were to identify students · awareness and sensitivity on environmental issues; identify the subjects r hat incorporate environmental education in...
ABSTRACT Pesticide residue levels in drinking water, soils and cocoa beans were assessed in four cocoa growing communities in the Dormaa West District of Ghana to assess the levels of pesticides contamination. In all 127 samples were collected between December 2014 and February 2015 from sixteen (16) selected cocoa farms and six (6) selected control sites. The samples were extracted and analyzed for organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroids, and organophosphate pesticide residues using the Ga...
ABSTRACT Groundwater issues in coastal communities are usually associated with seasonal salinization, due to sea water intrusion and seasonal flooding, however the main objective of this study was to assess the physical and chemical water quality of hand dug wells in Atorkor, Srogbe and Whuti, which are located close to possible contamination sources and further from these contamination sources. Thirty selected hand dug wells in households were used for this study. The uses, dependency, know...
ABSTRACT Due to increasing oil prices and climate change concerns, biodiesel has gained attention as an alternative energy source. Biodiesel derived from microalgae is a potentially renewable and carbon–neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. This study was carried out to determine the potentials of producing biodiesel from microalgae obtained from freshwater bodies in Ghana to serve as an environmentally sustainable fuel and an alternative to the use of fossil diesel. In the study, water s...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the chemical and biological characteristics of composts made from municipal solid waste in Accra and agricultural waste in Kade in Ghana. In Accra, compost samples were taken at residential level (Household composting), decentralised community level (AsieduKeteke composting facility) and at large-scale metropolis level (Teshie composting plant). The compost samples from Kade were produced at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station. Composting operatio...
ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess the reported health problems associated with the burning of biomass fuel for fish smoking. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to May 2017 among fish smokers at Abuesi in the Western Region of Ghana. A total of 434 fish smokers were selected to assess their level of knowledge of health effects associated with fish smoking as well as disease symptoms they have encountered as a result of smoking fish. Additionally, 60 smoke houses...
ABSTRACT All life forms including human need water resources in order to live healthy, promote sustainable development and ensure their well- being. The study assessed public willingness to accept and reuse treated wastewater as an alternative water resource to support the dwindling existing water resources for irrigation and the consumption wastewater irrigated crops. A social survey based on random sampling of 232 respondents in Ashaiman, capital of Ashaiman Municipality which has a well di...
ABSTRACT Land use/cover alteration within lake basins is occurring at accelerated rate most importantly in developing countries like Ghana. Anthropogenic activities (livelihood change, population growth, agricultural intensification and practices) and natural factors like seasonal variations are in most situations the major cause. To examine the effects of land use/cover on the physico-chemical and biological properties of Lake Bosomtwi, satellite images of the Lake’s watershed covering the...
ABSTRACT Although wastewater treatment plants efficiently reduce the loads of pathogens in wastewater, the conventional treatment processes do not show significant removal of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes, resulting in the introduction of these contaminants into the environment. This has human health implications for wastewater reuse and the use of effluent receiving water bodies as irrigation sources. Humans may be exposed to resistant bacteria a...
ABSTRACT Potassium (K) plays an outstanding role in plants and animals. Cassava, a widely grown staple in Ghana is noted for extracting large amounts of K from the soil. Cassava’s ability to absorb K from the soil is worth studying as it is vital for sustainable production and biofortification. The study was conducted to assess cassava’s ability to absorb K under fertilized and unfertilized systems. Two cassava genotypes, Cape Vars and Botan were grown under different fertilizer treatment...
Abstract This study was conducted to assess population structure and threat to the sustainable management of woody species in the various ago-ecosystems in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area (LGA) Katsina State, Nigeria. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 21 randomly demarcated 100m × 100m sample plots. All woody plant species found in the sample plots with stem diameter >2 cm at 20cm above ground, were recorded. Population structure was summarize...
ABSTRACT Maize is consumed by over 95% of the Ghanaian populace and the practice of using atrazine, lindane and other organochlorine pesticides in its production has raised concerns about potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. A field survey was conducted in this study to assess farmers‟ knowledge of safe handling and use of these chemicals as well as toxicity awareness and symptoms among farmers and traders. Residues of the pesticides in maize samples as well as th...
ABSTRACT Ethnobotanical and ecological studies were carried out to take inventory of the species used by the inhabitants surrounding the Subri River Forest Reserve for reproductive health care and to assess the ecological status ofwoody plant species ofthis reserve. The study was carried out between November 2005 and December 2006. Medical ethnobotanical knowledge was gathered from 80 inhabitants in 25 , , communities using questionnaires. Reproductive health conditions were categorized into...