Abstract
This study assesses social vulnerability to hazards by analyzing the nature of biophysical hazards, and the characteristics of exposures, susceptibilities and adaptive capacities in Kumasi. A mixed method approach was used to collect primary data from farms and nearby markets. Water, soil, and plant samples were collected and tested for total coliforms and cadmium. Primary dataset was also collected from farmers and vendors using structured interview guide and from key informants through in-depth interviews. The analysis shows that several pressures residing within the coupled social-ecological system are threats to the health and livelihood of the farmers and vendors. The concentration of cadmium and total coliform in irrigation water, soil, and plants exceeded the WHO/FAO acceptable standards. Bio-toxins in plants were also found to be potentially high. However, the degree of exposure to these stressors and the strength of response and adaptive capacities were determined to be dependent on position within the urban agriculture value chain, type of plant, and socio-demographic characteristics. The study concludes that pollution of irrigation water, soil, and plant is an issue of environmental concern in the urban agriculture system and requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address. It is recommended that there should be frequent monitoring of the quality of irrigation water, soil, and produce from urban farms and markets to assess their physical, chemical, and microbial properties and possibly initiate remedial measures where necessary. Government policies must also focus on building the resilience of urban farmers and vendors to reduce their vulnerability to biophysical hazards.
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Source Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Systems, University of Ghana (2017)
Source Fieldwork 2017
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Aboagye, D., Adu-Prah, S. & Dumedah, G. Assessing social vulnerability to biophysical hazards in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. GeoJournal 83, 1285–1299 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-017-9833-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-017-9833-4