Flood Risk Perception, Coping and Management in Two Vulnerable Communities in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Flooding has become an imminent and disruptive threat in many cities around the world. In developing/emerging economies, cities are often more vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. For example, in Accra, Ghana, recently over 150 people perished in a flash flood. The high casualty rate was a consequence of the lack of a well-developed integrated flood risk management plan and exacerbated by weak institutions, slums, urban sprawl and informal land / property management. To this effect, high risk countries like Ghana are in need of urgent development of systematic mitigation measures to engender community resilience (CS). Using the combined qualitative technique of Phenomenological Studies (PS) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), the flood risk perception, coping and management strategies of two vulnerable communities in the second largest city of Ghana, Kumasi are examined and evaluated for evidence of a sense of community resilience through social responsibility. The findings suggest that the two urban communities are aware they are at high risk to flooding and live in a constant state of anxiety during the wet seasons. However, there is no evidence of any systematic coping and management strategies and the communities feel there is nothing they can do without government support. It is suggested that government should use the leverage of local government practices to help engender a stronger sense of community empowerment and involvement towards building resilient communities that can respond to flooding through perceptions, social responsibility and appropriate public relation models.

The relevance of social capital and sense of coherence for mental health of refugees

“…For a refugee a sense of understanding, manageability and meaning of one's life and actions has a strong positive influence on the possibility to form trusting relationships and to enhance mental health. This mechanism further supports the idea that having control in a stressful situation and trusting in other people reinforces one's self-confidence in managing future risks and stressors ( Ahadzie et al, 2016 ; Almedon, 2005b ; Mittelmark et al, 2017 ).…”

Reframing the Urban Challenge in Africa

“…The importance of taking the time to foster good relationships was seen in our research coordinator's engagement with the Sepe-Buokrom assemblyman. A continuation of the relationship we had developed with him due to a previous study in 2016 (see Ahadzie et al, 2016), this relationship played out over the course of preliminary meetings (in which we explained the purpose of the project, its benefits to the community, and the role he was expected to play in making the project a success), right through to the second SM in August 2018. The assemblyman's interest in the project came from a desire to find solutions to the serious problem of flooding confronting his constituency, the success of which also could win him more credibility and political visibility.…”

“…In September 2017 the project commenced with a literature review to better understand the study's theoretical background and research area. An earlier study, Flood Risk Perception, Coping and Management in Two Vulnerable Communities in Kumasi, Ghana, which included a review of books, journals, newspapers, and grey literature conducted by the authors, greatly facilitated this process (Ahadzie et al, 2016). Evidence from this earlier study suggests that while flood-prone communities may be aware of the risk they are exposed to, there is no commitment to the community, community support, and/or sense of social responsibility towards engendering citizens' participation in flood-risk management.…”