http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/765 2026-04-10T07:31:06Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5118 E-hailing services- lessons for intra-urban transport needs and planning. A study of Accra Metropolitan Area. Fiangor, A. E-hailing services in Ghana has transformed the transport landscape by allowing passengers to use mobile applications to request a ride, track the driver's location, and pay for rides electronically. This innovation has improved safety, convenience, and affordability for passengers and drivers alike. The study aimed at determining the factors contributing to the growth of e-hailing service operations in Ghana, comparing taxi and e-hailing operations, and power play among drivers, riders, and e-hailing companies, specifically focusing on the Accra Metropolitan Area. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and an explanatory sequential design. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data via questionnaires from 400 ehailing riders and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with 12 drivers and 3 e-hailing company representatives. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Jamovi, and Excel 365 were used to perform descriptive and inferential (t-test and multinomial regression) analysis and presented using frequency, cross-tabulation, and charts while thematic analysis was employed using key constructs that emanated from the transcripts. Key findings revealed that the e-hailing rider profile is young male adults aged 24-34 with higher education and middle-income earners. Bolt emerged as the most used platform, while factors like age, higher income, tertiary education, and perceptions of security significantly contributed to frequent e-hailing usage. Compared to traditional taxis, e-hailing services were rated higher for convenience, safety, price transparency, payment options, and customer service by riders. The study recommends that the Ministry of Transport should explore partnerships and integration opportunities between e-hailing services and public transportation systems through multi-modal trip planning, integrated ticketing, and last-mile connectivity solutions, to enable a more efficient and user-friendly urban transportation ecosystem. thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of Social Science Education, submitted to the school of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Geography with Education) in the University of Education, Winneba MAY, 2024 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5073 Spatial assessment of the effect of climate change on food inflation evidence from the African economy Boateng, A. The effect of climate change on agricultural productivity, food insecurity and food inflation are evidently witnessed across Africa. However, no empirical studies have been done to spatial ascertain the effect of climate change on food inflation in Africa. Hence this study sought to spatially assess the effect of climate change (temperature, carbon dioxide emission, and precipitation) on food inflation in Africa to identify specific countries at risk. The study utilized secondary data from the World Development Indicators, World Bank, and World Knowledge Climate Portal and applied exponential smooth forecast, forest-based classification and regression analysis to understand how climate change interacts with food inflation in all 54 African countries. This study’s results showed that with the effect of climate change on food inflation in Africa, temperature is the most significant contributor, influencing food inflation rate by 47%, followed by precipitation at 32%, and carbon dioxide emissions at 21%. Notably, except for East and Southern Africa, countries in West Africa emerge as regions to experience the highest food inflation rate as a result of climate change. Furthermore, projections for the effect of climate change on food inflation indicated that precipitation will be the primary contributor, driving food inflation rate by 38% by 2037, while temperature and carbon dioxide emissions are expected to account for 33% and 29% respectively. By 2037 countries in West Africa are likely to experience the highest food inflation rates as a result of climate change's influence on food inflation than any other regions in Africa. The study concludes that immediate, targeted interventions are essential to mitigate climate impacts on food prices, particularly in vulnerable regions. Governments and development agencies such as the UN and FAO should promote the adoption of drought-tolerant crops, sustainable irrigation techniques, and investment in water harvesting and storage facilities to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on food price. A thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of Social Science, submitted to the school of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Geography with Education) in the University of Education, Winneba FEBRUARY, 2025 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5047 Lived experiences of women who have undergone unsafe abortion in Baakokrom in the New Juaben South Municipality Sarpong, A.A.O Abortions done through crude methods present higher chances of complications. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of women who have undergone unsafe abortion in relation to their sexual health, socio-cultural life and economic life in Baakokrom in the New Juaben South Municipality. The study employed a phenomenological research design, and a purposive sampling technique was used to get targeted women who have undergone unsafe abortions living in Baakokrom. Self-administered, semi-structured interview guides were used as the instrument to collect data for the study which involved ten participants. The finding reveals that women were ignorant of the usage of contraceptives, leading to unplanned pregnancies. Sexual health experiences revealed that participants who used traditional herbs and concoctions did not have a negative influence on childbirth and sexual activeness. The study also found out abortion stigma is not concentrated on only sociocultural influences but also is deep-rooted in government and political backgrounds. With respect to economic experiences, the study indicated that employed women have lost strength due to abnormal abdominal pain. This has led to a reduction in productivity leading to low income levels making them continuously depend on men. The study recommended that there should be massive education on contraceptive use, reproductive health and abortion laws. Also young girls should be encouraged to attend school to reduce unplanned pregnancy in the area. ADWOA AKYAMAA OFOSU SARPONG (202122882) A thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of social sciences, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Geography Education) in the University of Education, Winneba MAY, 2024 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5030 Effects of sand mining on land and soil at Buoku in the Wenchi Municipality Bema, O.A Sand mining, though vital for development, has significantly altered the land and soil in Buoku, Wenchi Municipality. This study assessed its physical and chemical impacts, stakeholder perspectives, and rehabilitation efforts. Using a concurrent embedded mixed-method design, data were collected from 28 respondents (22 farmers/landowners, 2 sand miners, and 4 government officials) through interviews, field observations, depth measurements, GIS/RS techniques, and laboratory analyses of 13 soil samples from mined and unmined sites. Findings revealed that sand mining in Buoku has shifted from small-scale manual practices to mechanized extraction with payloaders, expanding across more than 5,000 acres and engaging over 200 youth. Economically, many landowners sold land to fund education, medical bills, or housing, yet miners often operated without consent, creating ethical tensions. Physically, mining led to loss of vegetation and farmlands, pit formations, topographical alterations, and severe soil erosion. GIS and RUSLE analyses confirmed increasing soil loss between 2000 and 2022, with “very high” soil loss values rising from 84.78 ton/ha/yr in 2000 to 101.26 ton/ha/yr in 2022. Chemically, laboratory results showed that mined soils had lower organic matter, nitrogen, and nutrient levels compared to unmined soils, alongside shifts in pH, reduced water retention, and diminished fertility. Farmers reported poor crop viability, especially for food crops like yam and cassava, due to the removal of topsoil. Rehabilitation mechanisms were weak, with unfulfilled promises of land restoration, leaving mined sites barren and eroded. The study concludes that while sand mining provides short-term economic benefits, it causes long-term environmental degradation and social conflicts. It recommends stricter regulatory enforcement, community-inclusive decision-making, reforestation, effective monitoring systems, and collaboration among agencies such as the EPA, Wenchi District Assembly, Forestry Commission, and FAO to promote sustainable sand mining practices. A thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of Social Science Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Geography with Education) in the University of Education, Winneba NOVEMBER, 2025 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z