A team of first year PhD Environmental Science candidates, from the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, have presented their disaster risk assessment findings in the Adentan Municipality, to the Adentan Municipal Assembly. The team which comprises Messrs Francis Adarkwah, Stephen Twumasi Annan, Stephen Awuni and Mrs. Memuna Mawusi Mattah conducted the 3-month study as part of their field practical in the Disaster Risk Assessment course.

The study was aim at assessing the current situation and possible indicators that could influence disasters, identifying and mapping the geographical locations of disaster risk flashpoints and assessing the possible disaster risk impact on communities within the Adentan municipality. Among the factors which necessitated the study were the lack of enforcement of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 925, 2016; poor waste management; fire outbreak from improper wiring; land degradation from stone quarry activities; building on waterways and encroachment on water bodies and other human activities which includes contamination of cultivated vegetables from improper disposal of waste.

Their results outlined flooding as the major indicator of disaster in the Municipality, mainly due to run-off water from Akuapim ridge and surrounding communities, buildings on waterways and narrow drains.  The report noted that though the Municipality was endowed with numerous dams which can serve as receptors for excess water and recreational grounds for revenue generation,  the dams were however being encroached upon for housing and as dumping site for waste.

The study recommended that green economy principles and ecosystem based approaches should be enrolled in the Municipality to deal with Disaster Risk Reduction.

Present at the event was Hon. Daniel Alexander Nii Noi Adumoah (MCE, Adentan Municipality), Prof. Chris Gordon (Director IESS-UG), Research Fellows of IESS, the entire heads of Departments of Adentan Municipality and other stakeholders.