Effects of mining activities on access to potable water: households’ perception and practices at Konongo and Odumasi communities in Ghana.

This research work adds to the knowledge the academic community and policy makers have about mining activities as not only contributing to socioeconomic development but also capable of causing problems. Specifically, it looks at how mining activities affect water resources and hence water access in the mining communities of Konongo and Odumasi based on the perception, opinions and practices of selected households. Through the use of the fish bowl probability sampling, a total of 107 households were selected from the mining communities of Konongo and Odumasi to respond to interviews. Institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Owere Mines Limited (OML) and Asante Akyem North Municipal Assembly (AANMA) were purposively sampled for relevant information for the study. The study revealed that people’s perception and opinion about the state of the Owere and Agogowa streams as being made dirty by mining activities has caused less utilisation of such streams. Households have coped with mining related problems by resorting to the use of pipe borne and hand dug well waters. With these mechanisms households have coped well with mining activities and mining related problems. It is recommended that the OML and AANMA provide alternative sources of drinking water in the form of bore holes and pipe borne water in abundance. These sources should be made accessible and affordable especially to the poor who cannot afford to dig their own wells and also buy pipe borne water. Keywords: Mining activities, households’ perceptions, practices, water access, and coping strategies

Challenges of Forest Reserve Management in Ghana: Evidence from Tain Tributary Block I Forest Reserve

In spite of their immeasurable benefits to life sustenance, the sustainable management of forest and forest resources in Ghana is flooded with innumerable challenges such as the conflicting roles of the various stakeholders involved in forest management. This study sought to lay bare the peculiar challenges bedevilling the management of the Tain Tributary Block I forest reserve in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana from an institutional and communities’ perspective. Using the simple random sampling technique, Ninety-five (95) heads of households were selected from five (5) communities surrounding the Tain Tributary Block I forest reserve, whilst the purposive sampling was used in selecting the heads of institutions such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Sunyani West District Assembly, the Fire Service Department and the Forest Service Division (FSD) which have been tasked with the management of forest resources in Ghana.  The study revealed that, though the communities around the forest reserve play an indispensable role in forest management, only a minority of the populations of such communities are actively involved or have knowledge in relation to the sustainable management of forest resources. It was also observed that, intentionally sparked bushfires, illegal farming and conflict between the major institutions in forest resource management are major challenges confronting forest management in the Tain Tributary Block I forest reserve. It is recommended that clear cut modalities on the roles of forest management institutions be put in place to avoid conflict and also facilitate collaboration. Keywords: forest management, stakeholders, challenges, sustainability