Perception Of Human Induced Environmental Challenges In The Birim Central Municipality Ghana

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: -, , language: English, abstract: The overall objective of the study was to assess the respondents’ perception of human-induced environmental challenges in the municipality. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the association between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and their environmental perceptions or concerns; assess the respondents’ knowledge of environmental problems in the municipality; examine the respondents’ perception on the causes of the environmental problems; and examine the respondents’ views on improving upon the quality of their environment. The effects of human activities on the environment are evident in the changes to the functioning of the ecosystems, earth’s oceans, atmosphere, freshwater systems, and land surfaces resulting in environmental challenges including freshwater shortages, climate change, lost of biodiversity and exhaustion of fisheries. Birim Central Municipality is endowed with abundant natural resources such as diamond and gold deposits, forest, fertile soil and many water bodies, which contribute to the socio-economic development of the municipality and the country as a whole. In spite of the continuous exploitation of these natural resources to meet the legitimate socio-economic aspirations of the people, adequate care has not often been taken to guard against the depletion and mismanagement of the resources in the municipality. This attitude has led to increase in human-induced environmental challenges such as land degradation, water and air pollution in the municipality. Moreover, there seem to be little or no effort by the residents in addressing the overexploitation of such resources and its impacts on the environment as well as on the people. The issue of deforestation in Birim Central Municipality has become a serious concern for the Municipal Assembly. However, efforts by the Assembly to clump down on indiscriminate activities of the sawmill industries, charcoal burners, farmers and mining companies on the forest have not recorded much success. For example, the Forestry Commission Division of the Assembly made an attempt to register and to be able to monitor and control the activities of the chainsaw operators but only few were registered. In addition to the depletion of the forest, the future source of livelihood of many of the people which depends upon the natural environment will be severely affected.

Based on studies from countries in Africa, South America and Asia, looks at small-scale mining activities which often are both illegal and environmentally damaging, and dangerous for workers and their communities. Gives an overview on the issues and challenges involved, concluding about how sustainable development can be achieved.

Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples presents a detailed description of 13 analytical methods covering 35 analytes that may be present in a variety of sample types. The methods involve a wide range of analytical instrumentation including inductively coupled plasma (ICP)/atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), ICP/mass spectroscopy (MS), atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy, ion chromatography (IC), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The application of these techniques to such a diverse group of sample types is a unique feature of this book. Sample types include waters ranging from drinking water to marine water, in addition to industrial and municipal wastewater, groundwater, and landfill leachate. The book also includes methods that will accommodate biological tissues, sediments, and soils. Methods in this book can be used in several regulatory programs because of their applicability to many sample types. For example, ICP/AES, ICP/MS, and AA methods can be used in drinking water and permit programs. Methods applicable to marine and estuarine waters can be used for the EPA's National Estuary Program. Terminology is consistent throughout the book, an important feature especially for the quality control sections where standardized terminology is not yet available. Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples is an indispensable methods guide for all environmetal labs, wastewater labs, drinking water labs, lab managers, consultants, and groundwater engineers.

This report is based on field work carried out in the Akyem Abuakwa area of the forest region of Ghana, a section of the country rich in agricultural land, gold, and diamonds. Through the field work which was undertaken and the empirical material generated, the author attempts to chart the processes and patterns of differentiation connected to land and land use in contemporary Ghana.