Sociocultural factors and perceptions associated with voluntary and permanent relocation of flood victims: A case study of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in Ghana

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.

Current flood risk management practices in Ghana: Gaps and opportunities for improving resilience

“…Whilst making a targeted decision to improve FRM in Ghana, it is worth considering and building upon existing laws and policies. The National Water Policy (Government of Ghana, 2007) and the Blue Agenda (Addo & Danso, 2017) provide groundwork for FRM. They already address some major components of FRM and DRR, such as adopting FEWS, buffer zone laws, building regulations and encouraging public education and community consultation in the implementation of measures.…”

“…As defined by Ghana's National Water Policy (Government of Ghana, 2007), buffer zone laws aim to prevent people from settling within a certain distance from river banks. Another important policy is the Blue Agenda (Addo & Danso, 2017), which addresses flooding and its related threats by focusing on public education and the enforcement of building regulations.…”

“…This discrepancy has been pointed out in previous studies (e.g., Ahadzie & Proverbs, 2011; Kufour, Meyir, & Clifford, 2018; Thiemig, de Roo, & Gadain, 2011; World Bank, 2011). In this regard, Addo and Danso (2017) highlighted that a series of socio‐political factors have made it difficult to effectively implement existing laws and policies for FRM. Moreover, both city authorities and exposed communities commonly embrace a reactive approach, focused on demolitions, forced evictions, seeking temporary refuges, and adopting palliative measures (Afriyie, Ganle, & Santos, 2018; Amoako, Cobbinah, & Mensah Darkwah, 2019; Danso & Addo, 2017; Tengan & Aigbavboa, 2016).…”

Causes, impacts and coping strategies of floods in Ghana: a systematic review

“…About seven studies mentioned that flood can cause damage to homes, destruction of livelihoods, collapse of houses, etc. [52,69]. Five studies mentioned that floods have led to the destruction of economic infrastructure, property, public areas and the environment, thus putting enormous costs to the national government and individuals [66,70].…”

Climate Change and Health Preparedness in Africa: Analysing Trends in Six African Countries

“…The effect of floods from severe precipitation caused numerous fatalities and victims’ enforcement to leave their homes in the Eastern African countries, Central and Western Africa [ 20 , 25 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. Some impacts of mental health consequences from severe climate events are anxiety, depression, social dysfunction, and loss of confidence as part of the health effects that beset the surviving populace [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. Heatwaves and heat-related health effects from extreme temperatures recently gained attention in Africa through increasing related death tolls.…”