Department of Planning & Development http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/17 2026-04-07T14:17:58Z 2026-04-07T14:17:58Z Obodai, Jacob Asamoah, Paul Kitson Baffour Edusei, Joseph http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/803 2022-01-16T07:07:00Z 2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Cocoa Purchasing and the Issue of Insecurity in the Akontombra District in the Western Region of Ghana Authors: Obodai, Jacob; Asamoah, Paul Kitson Baffour; Edusei, Joseph Abstract: The cocoa industry in Ghana is plagued with a number of challenges. Among such challenges is the issue of insecurity. This notwithstanding, there are limited scholarly findings on the nature and the underlying factors associated with these insecurity issues. This paper examined the cocoa industry in the Sefwi Akontombra District in the Western Region of Ghana and presents an analysis of the processes and procedures for cocoa purchasing in the district; the security arrangements and mechanisms put in place during cocoa purchasing peak periods; the nature of access roads in cocoa growing areas in the district; and the influence of access roads on the insecurity of cocoa purchasing in the district. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and using a cross sectional study design, the case of OLAM Ghana Limited, a private licensed cocoa buying company operating in Sefwi Akontombra was examined. Primary data were gathered from purchasing clerks, drivers, warehouse keepers and officials of the company. Data from the District Command of the Ghana Police Service and the Department of Feeder Roads district office were solicited using interview guides. Non-participant observation and taking of photography were also employed as data capturing mechanism during the study. The study espoused content analysis in analysing the contents of the interviews and observational field notes in order to identify the main themes that emerge from the responses given by the respondents or the observation notes made. Inferences and implications were drawn then drawn from the analysis. The study found out that there was no security measure by OLAM Ghana Limited to ensure the safety of funds meant for cocoa buying, the storage and the transportation of cocoa beans in the study district. There was also no security arrangement during peak cocoa purchasing periods in the study district by key stakeholders within the cocoa sector in the district. Moreover, access road was further found out to be a major factor that accounts for some of the insecurity issues associated with cocoa purchasing activities in the Sefwi Akontombra District. The study thus recommends the development and adoption of security arrangements and mechanism by all stakeholders within the cocoa industry in the study district and the making of security issues a top priority by OLAM Ghana Limited

2018-01-12T00:00:00Z Asamoah, P.K.B. Adubofour, S.B. Obodai, J. Agyemang, F.O http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/661 2022-01-16T07:06:59Z 2018-06-30T00:00:00Z

Title: THE USE OF CHILDREN IN COCOA PRODUCTION IN SEKYERE SOUTH DISTRICT IN ASHANTI REGION, GHANA: IS THIS CHILD LABOUR OR AN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING? Authors: Asamoah, P.K.B.; Adubofour, S.B.; Obodai, J.; Agyemang, F.O Abstract: Concerns have been growing in Ghana about the employment of children, aged between 5-17 years, in cocoa production activities. This concern is echoed by the International Labour Organisation in its attempt to eliminate Worst Form of Child Labour. The objectives of the study were as to: investigate whether the labour of the children are paid for; determine the extent of children’s involvement; and investigate the risks they are exposed to. Using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), participant groups made up of women, men, children and opinion leaders were purposely selected from 10 cocoa producing communities from the study area. Structured questionnaires were also administered to 50 cocoa farmers through face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that harvesting is the stage in the cocoa production process that children are directly and actively involved. The study concludes by indicating that child labour and cocoa production are inseparable in the cocoa producing areas in the study site.

2018-06-30T00:00:00Z Abaitey, Abena Korang Acheampong Obodai, Jacob Glover, Christine http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/660 2022-01-16T07:06:59Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The Complexities of Small Towns’ Water Systems: Evidence from Two Selected Small Towns in the Middle Belt of Ghana Authors: Abaitey, Abena Korang Acheampong; Obodai, Jacob; Glover, Christine Abstract: Most small towns in Ghana have been experiencing unsustainable water supply systems due myriad challenges. This paper focuses on the exploring the nature and extent of these complex challenges. The study was conducted in Kokofu and Parambo-Sawaba Water Supply Systems in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana respectively. Focus group discussions and key informants’ interviews were the techniques espoused for this study. In all, ninety-six participants, comprising of eighty community members and sixteen key informants were purposively selected for the study. Data was analysed by identifying gaps between theory and practice, taking into consideration the Guidelines of Small Town Water Sector of Ghana. The study identified the major challenges facing the water systems as: infrastructure inadequacies; the lack of preventive maintenance systems; weak institutional collaboration inter alia. The study concludes that although small town water systems provides an avenue for supplying safe and potable water to small towns in Ghana, the above-mentioned challenges pose a great threat to sustainable water services delivery.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Nyamadi, Victoria Mensah Abagye, Kennedy Obodai1, Jacob http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/659 2022-01-16T07:07:00Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Households’ Coping Dynamics to Climatic Shocks of Flood and Drought in Northern Ghana Authors: Nyamadi, Victoria Mensah; Abagye, Kennedy; Obodai1, Jacob Abstract: The Guinea and Sudan Savannah zones of Ghana experiences much of the recent climate change effects than any other ecological zone in the country. This paper presents the coping strategies adopted by households in response to the climate change effects of floods and droughts in Northern Ghana. The study espoused a case study design. Key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions and household interviews were the methods applied in gathering primary data from 250 household heads randomly selected from six farming communities along the white Volta basin within three disaster prone districts. The descriptive statistic tool of SPSS was employed in analyzing, summarizing and describing the data obtained. Key subjective views of the participants were also presented using quotations. Destruction of food crops and livestock, decline in crop yield and food shortage as well as destruction of building were identified by the study as the most devastating effects of floods and droughts in the study areas. To cope with these effects, households adopted various coping dynamics which included decision not to farm or build in lowlands areas or waterways, migration, reliance on external support and early planning of activities. The study concludes that the effects of both floods and drought in Northern Ghana poses great challenges to livelihoods of households who have adapted by find coping strategies. The findings reveal new dimensions of the empirical accounts on households’ coping dynamics in response the climatic effects of flood and drought.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z