http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/963 2026-04-14T23:08:09Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12199 Investigating Coastal Management Strategies and Coastal Infrastructure in Ghana Charuka, Blessing Coastal management has emerged as one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century to adapt to sea-level rise and associated hazards like coastal flooding and coastal erosion. To respond to coastal erosion, different coastal management strategies and coastal infrastructure typologies can be applied to safeguard communities and ecosystems against coastal hazards. The main aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of coastal management strategies and coastal infrastructure in Ghana. Precisely, the study (1) mapped and assessed coastal protection infrastructure along the coast of Ghana using geographic information systems, remote sensing, and in-situ observation; (2) estimated the integrated coastal vulnerability index for the coast of Ghana towards future coastal infrastructural developments; (3) investigated short-term shoreline response to groyne fields and associated environmental impacts at three groyne fields using satellite imagery and remote sensing; and (4) employed in-depth interviews to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of grey infrastructure along the coast of Ghana. Results indicated that: (1) coastal management in Ghana is largely static and reactive using hold-the-line strategies and grey infrastructure for coastal protection; (2) Approximately 20% of the coast was protected using hardengineered infrastructure between 2000 and 2022; (3) at least 72% of the coast has moderate to very high coastal vulnerability to coastal hazards; (4) shoreline responses to groynes indicate increasing erosion, rapid changes to beach plan form, and terminal groyne effects – severe down-drift shoreline retreat rates; (5) the socioeconomic pitfalls identified include erosion migration, beach access restriction, impacts on artisanal fishing methods, fish landing dynamics, and livelihoods. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for coastal planning, policy-making, and sustainable development of coastal areas in Ghana. In conclusion, the development of shoreline management plans to support adaptive (dynamic) coastal management strategies and hybrid infrastructure is recommended to mitigate reactive, ad hoc implementation of grey infrastructure along the coast of Ghana. xxii, 221p:, ill. 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12194 Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Governance in Four Coastal Communities of Ghana Ayeta, Emuobonuvie Grace This study presents the findings of the assessment of groundwater quality, associated health risks, and groundwater governance in four coastal communities (Essiama, Winneba, Accra, and Keta) in Ghana. Membrane filtration method, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI), and Nemerow’s Pollution Index (NPI) were used to assess groundwater quality while Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), incremental life cancer risk, and hazard quotient were employed to assess the health risks associated with groundwater use. In addition, policy document review, focused group discussions, and expert-based assessment were employed to assess groundwater governance status. The results showed that mean total coliforms and Escherichia coli ranged respectively from 123.40 to 501.30 and 30.98 to 141.90 CFU/100 ml, respectively, in the selected communities. Mean NO3 concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization’s standards in Winneba and Accra for both the rainy and the dry seasons. Arsenic was higher than the acceptable level in Accra and Keta during the dry season, while Fe was higher than the acceptable levels in Accra in both seasons. CCME-WQI indicated that groundwater quality ranged from poor to marginal and NPI revealed that NO3, As, and Fe contributed to the deterioration of the groundwater sources. QMRA showed that exposure to E. coli O157:H7 through drinking groundwater ranged from 5 to 23 cells per day and the annual risk of infection and illness from E. coli O157:H7 for all communities was 1 for drinking. Arsenic showed non-cancer risks in Accra and Keta. Assessment of groundwater governance capacity showed that overall groundwater governance capacity in Ghana was incipient. To protect groundwater resources in Ghana, there is a need to regulate activities that degrade groundwater sources, and also build groundwater governance capacity, and promote public participation in the process. xix, 274p:, ill. 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12035 Plastic Pollution in Sediments and Marine Fish Species from Two Artisanal Fishing Hotspots Along the Coast of Ghana Djan, Pearl Sakyi Plastic pollution is a global environmental challenge that threatens marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. The focus of this thesis was to evaluate the level of plastic pollution along the coast of Ghana and also, to examine microplastic contamination in some marine fish species. The study was conducted at two of the largest artisanal fishing harbours– Elmina and Tema – in Ghana, West Africa. Macroplastic (> 2.5 cm or 25 mm) and mesoplastic (5 mm to 25mm) litter on and within the beach sediments of the harbour was analysed based on international guidelines for monitoring marine litter. Followed by microplastic (≤ 5 mm) contamination analyses of two commercial fish species, Angola dentex (Dentex angolensis) and Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena) landed in the harbours, using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. The marine litter analyses (macroplastic) indicated a diversity of plastic materials mostly dominated by single-use plastics (water sachet and takeaway bags). The results from the mesoplastics analyses specify the dominance of styrofoam and hard plastic fragments as the dominant materials. The FTIR results showed a higher occurrence of microplastics in Dentex angolensis at Elmina, with microfibers accounting for 60-100% of the ingested microplastics. Five different polymer groups were identified, with polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane being the most commonly consumed polymers. Although plastic ingestion was low, it could be traced to the plastics evaluated along the coast. All stakeholders must pay attention to addressing pollution, especially plastics, to prevent further contamination of marine life. xii, 165p:, ill. 2024-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11976 Status and Conservation of Nesting Turtles on the Eastern Coast of Ghana Agyeman, Dickson Yaw Shoreline characteristics and turtle nesting activities on the eastern coast of Ghana was investigated between April 2017 and March 2019. Physical parameters of the beach, distribution, abundance, morphometric data of turtles and nesting activities were monitored within the study areas. Four species of turtles, namely, Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Erectmochelys. imbricata) were encountered. An aggregate of 1,397 and 632 turtle activities occurred at Songor Ramsar Site (SRS) and Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site (KLCRS) respectively. Activities of Olive ridley turtles were well distributed in SRS with 2.95 nests per kilometer. Leatherback turtles were common in KLCRS with 2.93 nests per kilometer. Predators of turtle eggs were mostly dogs, ghost crabs, pigs and humans. Dogs were most successful egg predators accounting for 23.6% and 16.6% egg predations in SRS and KLCRS. Olive ridley nests were vulnerable to predation, accounting for 56.2% of total nests predated. A total of 1,183 crawling gaits and nests were encountered, of these 60.4% and 39.6% occurred in SRS and KLCRS. Out of 545 dead turtles encountered, 97.98% occurred in SRS whiles 2.01% occurred in KLCRS. Variations occurred in the sex of the dead turtle encountered during 2017 - 2018 (p = 0.038). Leatherbacks were preferred species poached accounting for 93.9% of total poached turtles with monthly and annual poaching rate of 2.03 and 0.37 respectively. Unstable shoreline dictated by high to moderately low erosion, accretion and sand dunes influenced turtle activities. Nesting activities were high when dunes height and erosion were low whiles accretion was high and vice versa. Beach illuminated by artificial lights influenced nesting trends with over 75% of turtle nesting activities occurring in darker and isolated beaches. Recommendations for improving data collection, reducing effect of shoreline changes and involvement of stakeholders to protect turtles are made. xvii 246p:, ill 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z