Figure 32.
ntage com m
off
Figu ure 33.
P Percentage
composition n of
Perce position
responden nts’ levels of education
respo ondents’ occu
upations
Figure 3 34. Percentage composittion of
Figu ure 35. Perceentage comp
position of ty ypes
respondeents’ housing g status
of housing roofss
4.1.7 R Resource Use
e
In addition to the co ollection of natural reso
ources from m the wild, ccommunitiess in the Weestern
Region d depend on aactivities su
uch as farmiing, fishing,, and huntin ng for food.. The follo
owing sections provide an o
overview of how the community members depeend on theirr environmen nt for
their liveelihood, inclu uding accesss to other am
menities such h as water, en
nergy and heealth care. 4.1.7.1 Natural reso
ource collecction There aree different ty
ypes of naturral resourcess collected b by the respon
ndents. Coco onut, palm ffruits,
cassava, plantain, m maize, tomattoes, pepperr, garden eg
ggs fish, craab, snails, fi fire wood, h
herbal medicinee, etc. weree some of tthe natural resources tthat found iin the com
mmunities visited. Collectio
on of naturall resources w was the respo
onsibility of both male aand female w with children
n also helping iin the collecction. Thesee are for botth domestic consumptio n and for saale. The typee and
time of reesource varies depending on the season.
87
4.1.7.2 Farming Land preparation usually involves slash and burn techniques, with mixedcontinuous cropping.
Crops grown are mainly cassava, oil palm and vegetables, with other crops such as plantain, cocoyam, rice, coconuts and in some cases, rubber. Farmers have all observed decreasing yields
due to poor soil fertility; however, three communities indicated that they have recently started using fertilizers Ankrobra, Butre and Cape Three Points. It was also noted that many farmlands
have been transformed to rubber plantations, which reduce available land.
4.1.7.3 Fishing Both inland and sea fishing is a common activity in the Western Region, characterized by the use
of canoes. There are regulations such as bans of fine and small mesh nets, with traditional regulations where fishing is not allowed on specific days. These days range depending on the
area, and include Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Fishermen complain of decreasing yields and blame light fishing by Chinese fishermen for the depleted stocks. In Amansuri, the proliferation
of green algae has been noted as the cause of lower fish harvests.
4.1.7.4 Hunting With the exception of the Amansuri community, communities in the assessed communities
supplement their diets with hunted animals. This includes the commonly known grasscutter, antelope, and rats; and in some cases, duikers and monkey. Hunting techniques are usually by
guns, traps and dogs. Respondents have observed declining numbers in hunted animals and attribute this to the migration of animals deeper into the forests, the result of increased
population and numbers in hunters, exploitation and extinction of animals, and change in land use from forest to rubber plantations.
4.1.7.5 Water In the Western Region, only 32 of the houses have access to treated pipe-borne water, with
8.5 in their homes. Sources of potable water in the studied areas include rainwater, boreholes, well, pipe and nearby streams and rivers. In many areas, the inhabitants depend on a borehole for
potable water, mostly without any payments. With increased activities along the aquatic systems, i.e., farms and dumping of refuse, communities have observed ‘reddish worms’ in the water. The
majority of respondents commented on the deteriorating water quality that has affected its color and taste. Respondents also commented on the changes in the perennial nature of the river and
that the river now dries up in the dry season.
4.1.7.6 Sources of energy About 60 of respondents are connected to the national grid through a rural electrification
programme, and the remaining percentage 26.2 use kerosene. The main sources of energy for cooking are fire wood and charcoal. The use of gas was not common among those interviewed.
Charcoal production takes place in most of the communities. In Ankobra and Butre, respondents have observed that it causes destruction to vegetation and various species. However in
Princestown, the impact of charcoal production on the environment were considered to be
88
negligible since the wood used is normally obtained from logged rubber trees and other trees already cut down during land clearing.
4.1.7.7 Health Malaria and fever were the most common ailments reported in the various communities. Other
health issues included water borne diseases such as Guinea worm, Buruli ulcer, diarrhoea, elephantiasis, itchy skin, and cholera. Orthodox and herbal treatments are the forms of
treatments that are used for treating persons who fall sick. There was general agreement about the usefulness of herbal plants found in the vicinity of the community. Some of the plants
mentioned with local names andor parts of the plant used include:
ｸ Acacia species Acacia leaves ｸ Azadirachta indica Neem Tree
ｸ Chromoleana odorata “Ghana Afofo”; “Abafro”; “Acheampong” ｸ Cocos nucifera leaves of coconut
ｸ Kyaha species parts of the Mahogany tree ｸ Musa species leaves of plantain
ｸ Ocimum gratissimum “Nunum” ｸ Persea americana Avocado leaves
ｸ Rauvolfia vomitoria “Kakapenpen” ｸ Theobroma cacao leaves of Cocoa
4.1.7.8 Flora and fauna In guided discussions for more precise information about common and important types of flora
and fauna in the communities, the respondents seemed unsure about what was being asked for exactly and indicated that the elders would know more. Most of the information on specific floral
and faunal groups is provided in the reports of the various field surveys.
4.1.8 Environmental issues
