TOWARDS AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (Eco-DRR) FOR FLOODS IN SOME DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES OF THE LOWER VOLTA, GHANA

ABSTRACT Changes in river flows for hydro-electric power generation, agricultural purposes and water conservation, and other land use changes have had major ecological, social and economic consequences, which include but are not limited to disasters. The poor who mainly live in rural areas directly depend on most of these ecosystems and the services they provide for their livelihood, and so are more vulnerable to changes in ecosystems. This study was carried out to identify communities in the lower Volta basin of Ghana that are prone to flood disasters, assess Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures in the identified communities, and the communities‘ knowledge on Ecosystems link with DRR. Based on the Volta River Authority inundation maps, four communities (Azizanya and Azizakpe Island in Ada East District of Greater Accra Region; Anyanui and Bomigo Island in Keta Municipality in Volta Region), were selected. Primary and secondary data collection methods were employed. Structured open and closed ended questionnaires were administered to 180 respondents. Focus Group Discussions and interview guides were also used for the socio-economic and disaster survey. Flood experience in the selected communities, flood risk reduction approaches already in place at the communities, human activities affecting the ecosystems and the feasibility of effectively managing the ecosystems as means of flood disaster risk reduction were assessed. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 20.0) and Microsoft Excel software. The findings revealed that though Bomigo Island would not be inundated at all levels of water discharge from Akosombo dam‘s spill-gates (from 3,000 m 3 /s to 14,150 m3 /s), as indicated on the maps, flood disaster was identified by respondents as one of the prevalent disasters affecting lives and properties in the Island; minor flooding was also experienced while administering the questionnaires. The prevalent DRR measures in the communities were reactive rather than proactive. There was appreciable awareness of the link between functioning ecosystems and DRR. From the findings, the constructions of Akosombo dam and Kpong head pond have affected farming and agricultural practises which were the major occupation in the communities. The communities are willing and ready to conserve the ecosystems, especially mangroves and wetlands, if the Government would make provision for other sources of livelihood; there is high dependence on mangroves cutting and sales as the major source of livelihood, and most of the answers towards measures believed to mitigate disaster risk are geared toward resources‘ conservation The study concludes that policy makers should take advantage of the local knowledge as entry point to integrate Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction to fight flood disasters in the communities. The study recommends, among others, that for an effective Eco-DRR, the costs, benefits and risks to all individual stakeholders and the society should always be assessed, as tradeoffs might not be accepted without involving the stakeholders; while tackling the underlying factors of ecosystems degradation and disaster risks (poverty).