Review on Connecting the Complex Dots of Environmental Problems in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) of Ghana
Peiguo Zhou
Collegeof Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 2010037, PR China.
Meshack Appiah Ofori *
Collegeof Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 2010037, PR China.
Abdul hakim Jamshidi
Collegeof Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 2010037, PR China.
Collins Oduro
Research Institute for History of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, PR China.
Isaac Sarfo
Research Institute for History of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, PR China.
Zongbiao Dai
Collegeof Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 2010037, PR China.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
For years, Accra has been facing huge environmental challenges. Efficient policy frameworks coupled with prudent urban management are deemed as reasonable balance to environmental benefits. Research reveals urban areas in Ghana are confronted with the rapid loss of natural resources as urbanization increases. This synthesis report examines the ramifications of major issues faced by the Greater Accra region based on existing literature by (i) highlighting contemporary environmental problems in Accra (ii) probing into human-induced and natural factors that alterate environmental harmony in the study area (iii) discussing measures on safeguarding the environment through a sustainable approach in Accra, and (iv) presenting policy implications of environmental problems in Accra. Findings indicated urbanization, poverty and inappropriate urban planning systems influence environmental degradation in the study domain. Anthropogenic activities such as pollution and natural hazards like: flooding, drought and windstorms events have altered the physical properties of Accra. This paper reveals the assumption and execution of values to safeguard environmental resources in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
Keywords: Environmental problems, poverty, population, urbanization, urban planning