| 1. |
- Armah, Frederick A., et al.
(författare)
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Anthropogenic sources and environmentally relevant concentrations of heavy metals in surface water of a mining district in Ghana: a multivariate statistical approach
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1093-4529. ; 45:13, s. 1804-1813
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The levels of heavy metals in surface water and their potential origin (natural and anthropogenic) were respectively determined and analysed for the Obuasi mining area in Ghana. Using Hawth's tool an extension in ArcGIS 9.2 software, a total of 48 water sample points in Obuasi and its environs were randomly selected for study. The magnitude of As, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn and Cd in surface water from the sampling sites were measured by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Water quality parameters including conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids and turbidity were also evaluated. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, were used to identify possible sources of these heavy metals. Pearson correlation coefficients among total metal concentrations and selected water properties showed a number of strong associations. The results indicate that apart from tap water, surface water in Obuasi has elevated heavy metal concentrations, especially Hg, Pb, As, Cu and Cd, which are above the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible levels; clearly demonstrating anthropogenic impact. The mean heavy metal concentrations in surface water divided by the corresponding background values of surface water in Obuasi decrease in the order of Cd > Cu > As > Pb > Hg > Zn > Mn > Fe. The results also showed that Cu, Mn, Cd and Fe are largely responsible for the variations in the data, explaining 72% of total variance; while Pb, As and Hg explain only 18.7% of total variance. Three main sources of these heavy metals were identified. As originates from nature (oxidation of sulphide minerals particularly arsenopyrite-FeAsS). Pb derives from water carrying drainage from towns and mine machinery maintenance yards. Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn mainly emanate from industry sources. Hg mainly originates from artisanal small-scale mining. It cannot be said that the difference in concentration of heavy metals might be attributed to difference in proximity to mining-related activities because this is inconsistent with the cluster analysis. Based on cluster analysis SN32, SN42 and SN43 all belong to group one and are spatially similar. But the maximum Cu concentration was found in SN32 while the minimum Cu concentration was found in SN42 and SN43.
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| 2. |
- Armah, Frederick A., et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of legal framework for corporate environmental behaviour and perceptions of residents in mining communities in Ghana
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1360-0559 .- 0964-0568. ; 54:2, s. 193-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The paper examines the laws and policies that regulate corporate environmental practices in Ghana, with an emphasis on mining. In particular, the analysis of the legal and regulatory framework examines the extent to which it meets international best practices and standards of corporate conduct and the extent to which self-regulatory mechanisms are accommodated under the framework. This was accomplished through reviews of mining and water related Acts, laws and relevant Statutes on corporate environmental practices in Ghana. Ethnographic qualitative research was carried out and key tools utilised included participant observations, focus group discussions and interviews. Interview data captured community members' perceptions on impacts of mining in 12 host communities. Key findings indicate that most respondents have negative perceptions about the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining and where corporate environmental governance codes exist, enforcement mechanisms are not very well laid out, a situation which reflects weak regulatory institutions in the mining sector. Further, the legal and regulatory regime for environmental governance has failed to come up to international best practices. While government has an important role to play in the area of providing the legal framework for enhancing best practice standards in corporate environmental governance, it appears that the ultimate responsibility for sound environmental behaviour still lies with corporations themselves.
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| 3. |
- Armah, Frederick A., et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Floods on Livelihoods and Vulnerability of Natural Resource Dependent Communities in Northern Ghana
- 2010
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Ingår i: Water. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4441. ; 2:2, s. 120-139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sub-Sahara Africa is considered to be most vulnerable to climate variability including flooding. The frequency and severity of floods in Northern Ghana over the last decade has increased considerably. Through qualitative modelling the paper explores the impact of floods on natural resource dependent communities in Northern Ghana. Simplified causal loop diagrams are used to conceptualise flood-induced coping strategies in the study area. The results indicate that some characteristics of the socio-cultural environment appear to mitigate risk and reduce vulnerability. In this context, the role of social networks in enhancing livelihood security is essential. The paper concludes that both in case of seasonal variations in agricultural output and floods, individuals that have effectively diversified their livelihoods, both occupationally and geographically, are less sensitive than individuals who mainly achieve entitlement to food via crop cultivation. However, diversification in this case, is effective only in the short term.
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| 4. |
- Armah, Frederick A., et al.
(författare)
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Management of natural resources in a conflicting environment in Ghana: unmasking a messy policy problem
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1360-0559 .- 0964-0568. ; 57:11, s. 1724-1745
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Resource use conflict is an enduring problem for science and policy making. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with resource users, policy makers and key informants, we explored four case examples of resource use conflict within lands and forestry, fisheries, oil and the mining sectors in Ghana. Results indicate that resource use conflict consists of a complex, non-linear system of balancing and reinforcing feedback loops that recur across resource sectors. The conflicts are difficult to clearly define, have many interdependencies and are multi-causal. Specifically, dysfunctional policy, commoditisation of land, infringement on rights of users, shift from communal to private land ownership, renegotiation of rights, and unclear roles and responsibilities of government agencies, exacerbate conflicts among resource users, managers and policy makers in Ghana. In addition, supranational policy such as the protocol of the Economic Community of West African States, which promotes free movement of people and goods within the 16-nation community, is a driver of conflict between native farmers and nomadic Fulani herders. Clear policy directions from government that outlines the specific roles of various departments involved in resource issues together with a holistic community participatory approach is therefore required to comprehensively understand and address such conflicts.
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