Assessment flood management systems along the Aboabo river, Kumasi
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2015
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Abstract
Flooding has been a recurrent problem in the Aboabo river basin for many years now. It has resulted in loss of lives and properties in diverse ways. Flood management institutions and households over the years have adopted different control measures in their bid to address the problem. Despite their continuous effort to solve the problem it still persists. This research sought to identify the causes and socio-economic effects of flooding and the institutional challenges associated with flood control measures adopted in addressing these problems. Additionally, the coping strategies of residents were also investigated. To investigate the problem communities along the Aboabo River such as Dichemso, Asawase-apagyahene, Aboabo, Anloga and Amakom were selected for the study. Surveys were held with household heads in the study communities to solicit their views on the causes of flooding, effectiveness of flood control mechanisms implemented as well as the coping strategies adopted. Key officials of related institutions were also interviewed to capture their view about the problem and identify the various flood control measures put in place. It was found out that poor drainage system in the basin contributes significantly to flooding aside the obvious natural factor of precipitation. Also indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, in the Aboabo River, haphazard development on floodplain further worsens the problem. The effects were mainly health, psychological, environmental and economic related problems. Among the flood control measures implemented were desilting of the Aboabo River, construction of flood breaks, temporary drains, and clearance of choked drains. Institutional challenges of flood control include inadequate resources and logistics, poor methods of waste disposal practices in the basins and inability to fully enforce land use regulations along the river. Again, the study revealed the major coping strategies as movement to higher grounds, seeking for external support and clearance of choked drains. Finally, in order to address these problems it was recommended that in the immediate term the drainage system in the basin should be improved while methods of solid waste disposal and collection should be strictly monitored by waste management departments. At the same time land use laws and regulation should be enforced. In the long term a road map should be drawn for gradual relocation and decongestion of residents in the green belt and floodplain of river Aboabo.
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A thesis submitted to The Department of Planning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science in Development Policy and Planning,