Abstract:
Given the extent of human activities and the level of excavations taking place, the
Mile11 Hills have become a potential geo-hazard zone. This study sought to investigate
the extent of landscape change, it causes and possible geological hazards between 1986
and 2018 where explanatory sequential design and the mixed-method research approach
was adopted to achieve the study’s objectives. The study used spatial cartographic tools
(GIS and Remote Sensing) to examine the extent of landscape change. As well, forty
participants were purposively sampled and interviewed for the qualitative analysis. The
results confirmed the landscape was undergoing both degradational and depositional
geomorphic changes. About 56.11% of the landscape underwent degradation while
43.89% underwent deposition. Geomorphic change in the municipality was largely due
to anthropogenic change rather than geological changes which were evidenced by the
activities of urbanisation, sand mining and quarrying, posing a potential geo-hazard risk
to residents in the area. The area was rapidly losing vegetative cover to urbanisation
between 2003 and 2018. Possible geological hazards envisaged included earthquake,
landscape influenced flooding, mudflow and landslide. It is therefore recommended that
drastic measure should be taken to zone and relocate residents from the area. Proper
coordination between traditional land owners, EPA, GGSA and GSMA be ensured to
enhance proper planning in the municipality. Hazard prone areas should also be zoned
and residents relocated to prevent future fatalities.
Description:
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 Education)
in the University Of Education, Winneba
JUNE, 2020
