Browsing by Author "Quansah, Charles"

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    Assessing sediment inputs to small reservoirs in Upper East Region, Ghana
    (Lakes & Reservoirs Research & Management, 2009-10) Adwubi, Afua; Amegashie, Bright Kofi; Agyare, W. A.; Tamene, Lulseged; Odai, Samuel Nii; Quansah, Charles; Vlek, Paul
    Many small dams and dugouts have been constructed in the Upper East Region of Ghana to address the problem of regional water scarcity. The reservoirs were constructed primarily as water supplies for agricultural irrigation and livestock watering, aquaculture and domestic use. However, many of the reservoirs dry up during the dry season, affecting the livelihoods of their basin inhabitants. A major cause for the dried reservoirs is siltation, which reduces the reservoir’s storage capacities. The goal of this study is to quantify the annual siltation rate of four study reservoirs, using a bathymetric survey and reservoir soil sampling. The sediment yield and its relation to catchment area also were assessed. The results of this study indicate that the annual siltation rates are 1272, 3518, 2764 and 6135 t year)1 for Doba, Dua, Zebilla and Kumpalgogo reservoirs, respectively. Analyses of the sediment yield and catchment areas illustrated that the sediment yields decreased with increasing catchment area. All the study reservoirs have lost their dead storage capacity, which was meant to store sediment until the end of their anticipated design lives. The decreasing storage capacity because of siltation will affect the livelihoods of the local basin inhabitants, as the reservoirs will not be able to achieve all their intended purposes. The results of this study indicate that, because siltation is not the only factor threatening the benefits gained from the reservoirs, the integrated assessment of all relevant factors is required.
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    The effects of large scale land acquisition on the livelihoods of smallholder farming households in the Pru District of Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana-perspective of tenants farmers.
    (KNUST, 2018-06) Quansah, Charles
    In recent times, Ghana has become one of the destinations for large scale land acquisition in Africa, attracting more foreign investors in the agricultural sector. It is expected that large scale lands acquired will improve the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers in deprived rural economies. The study is underpinned by the critical agrarian political economy theory and the modern world system theory. This study assessed the effects of large scale land acquisition on the livelihoods of smallholder farming households in the Pru District Assembly of Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Primary data were collected from 332 randomly selected smallholder farming households using structured questionnaires and were complemented with data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The empirical findings revealed a six-step procedure in acquiring large tracts of land for investment starting from the identification of reserved lands by the District Assembly through to the transfer of ownership to investors. The study also found that large scale land acquisition has a significant positive effect on employment, healthcare and food security, but significant negative effect on income levels of smallholder farming households. Reducing the number of days of visit to farms, leaving very early to farms, and depending on rain water are the coping strategies employed by the smallholder farmers. Also, the farmers adapt to the effects of large scale land acquisition by keeping backyard gardens, planting hybrid seeds and buying of motor bikes and bicycles to facilitate long distance farming. Based on the findings, the study recommends that farming households should be given opportunity to participate in decision making, leading to acquisition of lands by large scale land investors. Also, lands of defunct companies should be returned to the initial occupants for their needs and cultivation. Finally, District Assemblies must formulate policies and enforce the existing by-laws that will ensure that large scale land investors employ workers from the host communities for the intended projects.