Abstract
Flooding is a major problem in many developing urban centres in Ghana, including the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM). Residents who are living close to the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers in the metropolis often experience flooding when the rivers overflow their banks, resulting in lives being lost, people being displaced and properties being destroyed. One durable solution to the flooding problem is voluntary and permanent relocation of ‘vulnerable’ residents; but this form of solution cannot be achieved without a clear understanding of the sociocultural factors that influence the decision-making process. This study uniquely investigated the sociocultural and economic factors affecting voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims, using Eshiem, Kansawurodo and Whindo communities as a case study. Employing a mixed cross-sectional design method, 207 heads of households were selected to fill in questionnaires; interviews were conducted with nine representatives of the traditional councils, and areas affected by flooding were photographed. The findings show that voluntary and permanent relocation was overlooked by most flood victims due to perceived inability to rent new places owing to low incomes, fear of losing income-generating ventures that serve as sources of livelihoods, hope of gaining income from the oil production within the region and the need for restitution from government before evacuation. From a sociocultural viewpoint, they felt uncomfortable with losing ancestral lands and landed properties as well as breaking long-standing ties with their community folks and other networks. Flood victims’ willingness to stay in the flood-prone communities was also influenced by duration of stay in the communities and ownership of landed assets. When considering voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims as a durable solution in the future, these sociocultural and economic factors need to be carefully considered.
Highlights
Over the years, flooding has caused devastating effects in many African countries, with major towns and cities in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana still experiencing cases of flood disasters (Fukami & Herath 2009; Mendel 2006; Patt & Schroter 2008)
One major area that suffers from recurrent flooding is the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM) in the Western region of Ghana; with Eshiem, Kansawurodo and Whindo communities identified as major floodprone areas because of their proximity to the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers (Mendel 2006; Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly 2013)
In 2011 and 2009, more than a thousand people became homeless within the STM and valuable properties were destroyed after heavy rains caused the rivers to overflow their banks to neighbouring communities (Aklorbortu 2011; The International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund 2009)
Summary
Over the years, flooding has caused devastating effects in many African countries, with major towns and cities in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana still experiencing cases of flood disasters (Fukami & Herath 2009; Mendel 2006; Patt & Schroter 2008). In 2011 and 2009, more than a thousand people became homeless within the STM and valuable properties were destroyed after heavy rains caused the rivers to overflow their banks to neighbouring communities (Aklorbortu 2011; The International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund 2009). As far back as 1971, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of about hundred dwelling houses within the STM, rendering thousands of people homeless (Daily Graphic 2015).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
