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Danso-Wiredu, E. Y.
Dislocating Urban Studies Workshop 2 - Section presented: places “off the map”: bringing to light the hidden locations of urbanization. Organize by the Institute of Urban Research (IUR). University of Helsinki/Virtual 18th to 19th March
Paper presented:
How the Urban Poor Define Preferred Places, Accra’s Old Fadama Slum Dwellers Case
Abstract
The inability of the Ghana government to provide homes for its low-income citizens have forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in poor communities or become care takers of uncompleted houses. Old Fadama, the largest squatter-slum community in Ghana is an example of a poor community which accommodate most migrants in Accra, especially those migrating from Northern Ghana. The paper explores Old Fadama as a preferred space of urban dwelling in Accra for most poor people despites its ‘slummic’ nature. It is an alternative dwelling to the normal dwelling spaces for the average urban dweller in Accra and this is evidenced in this case as not a matter of choice, but rather one of necessity. The influx of rural migrants from the North produced a housing scarcity in Accra which has yet to be adequately addressed by state actors at either urban or national levels. The poor migrants need shelter and when they found the formal housing market to be inaccessible, they had to look elsewhere. The vacant, waterlogged tract of land now known as Old Fadama is one of the places the poor immigrants can access. Deprived of even the most basic services and infrastructures, residents are not only neglected but also vilified as squatters and parasites by state authorities and media alike. Instead of sinking into complete chaos, however, the slum has gradually been transformed into a self-governing community existing and evolving in spite of formal neglect and vilification. The paper makes a contribution to knowledge in that the urban poor largely settle on their preffered places not because of amenities and good housing conditiond but to them, any place they can ‘get-by’ regardless of the environment is readily preffered by them. A key finding of the paper is how local associations directly influence access to general housing resources.
The inability of the Ghana government to provide homes for its low-income citizens have forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in poor communities or become care takers of uncompleted houses. Old Fadama, the largest squatter-slum community in Ghana is an example of a poor community which accommodate most migrants in Accra, especially those migrating from Northern Ghana. The paper explores Old Fadama as a preferred space of urban dwelling in Accra for most poor people despites its ‘slummic’ nature. It is an alternative dwelling to the normal dwelling spaces for the average urban dweller in Accra and this is evidenced in this case as not a matter of choice, but rather one of necessity. The influx of rural migrants from the North produced a housing scarcity in Accra which has yet to be adequately addressed by state actors at either urban or national levels. The poor migrants need shelter and when they found the formal housing market to be inaccessible, they had to look elsewhere. The vacant, waterlogged tract of land now known as Old Fadama is one of the places the poor immigrants can access. Deprived of even the most basic services and infrastructures, residents are not only neglected but also vilified as squatters and parasites by state authorities and media alike. Instead of sinking into complete chaos, however, the slum has gradually been transformed into a self-governing community existing and evolving in spite of formal neglect and vilification. The paper makes a contribution to knowledge in that the urban poor largely settle on their preffered places not because of amenities and good housing conditiond but to them, any place they can ‘get-by’ regardless of the environment is readily preffered by them. A key finding of the paper is how local associations directly influence access to general housing resources.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y.
2021 American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. Real Estate, Finance and Urban Development (2): The Housing Financialization/Affordability Nexus. University of North Alabama/Virtual 7th to 11th April
Paper presented:
Conceptualising the injustices in the Ghanaian Housing Rental System
Abstract
Policy-makers globally are concerned about severe housing challenges experience in cities of the developing world. This paper examines the rental housing situation in Ghana and how it reflects an aspect of urban social and economic injustices. Housing shortages for the masses in Ghana is widely published in the literature. Also, widely discussed in the literature is the issue of high amount of advance payment of rents in the country. The amount demanded by landlords/ladies as advanced rent payment usually does not base on any theoretical or empirical bases and justification in relation to people’s income. Severe rental housing pressures and conflicting relations between tenants and property owners is rooted in asymmetrical perceptions regarding the rental system in Ghana. This is reflected in a World Bank report in 1999 to the effect that Ghana has the highest house-price to income ratio among selected Third-World countries it conducted a study on rent payments. The research therefore, focuses on the sources of funding for the high advanced rent payments made by tenants in Ghana and the struggles thereof tenants regularly undergo to pay their rents. The study uses examples from different tenants across the country through a survey conducted using a semi-structured interview guide sent to respondents on virtual group platforms. It uses the mixed method approach to analyze the findings and to conceptualize rental struggles in Ghana and its role in deepening social and economic injustices in Ghanaian Cities.
Policy-makers globally are concerned about severe housing challenges experience in cities of the developing world. This paper examines the rental housing situation in Ghana and how it reflects an aspect of urban social and economic injustices. Housing shortages for the masses in Ghana is widely published in the literature. Also, widely discussed in the literature is the issue of high amount of advance payment of rents in the country. The amount demanded by landlords/ladies as advanced rent payment usually does not base on any theoretical or empirical bases and justification in relation to people’s income. Severe rental housing pressures and conflicting relations between tenants and property owners is rooted in asymmetrical perceptions regarding the rental system in Ghana. This is reflected in a World Bank report in 1999 to the effect that Ghana has the highest house-price to income ratio among selected Third-World countries it conducted a study on rent payments. The research therefore, focuses on the sources of funding for the high advanced rent payments made by tenants in Ghana and the struggles thereof tenants regularly undergo to pay their rents. The study uses examples from different tenants across the country through a survey conducted using a semi-structured interview guide sent to respondents on virtual group platforms. It uses the mixed method approach to analyze the findings and to conceptualize rental struggles in Ghana and its role in deepening social and economic injustices in Ghanaian Cities.
Daniel Tackie-Aboi and Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu
Regions in Recovering: The Future of Urban Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Virtual 2nd to 18th June, 2021
Paper presented:
Transforming Livelihoods and Land Cover Depletion in Peri-urban Ghana. A Case of Ga Central Municipality
Abstract
The work of human activities and its rapid effects on the land and the environment especially in neighbouring districts around cities like Accra cannot be overlooked. The purpose of the study was to assess the transforming livelihood strategies of residents of Ablekuma, Agape and Gonse. The study also ascertained the effects of the livelihood strategies changes on the extent of land cover changes. The sustainable livelihood and human-environment system concepts were combined to study assets and livelihood strategies changes residents relied on for survival in their communities. A mixed-method approach to research using the cross-sectional and case study designs was applied in the study. Three hundred and nine respondents answered questionnaires and 40 key informants, interviewed in the communities. The main findings of the study were that the dominant land cover in the three communities had gone through changes over the years, from 1991 to 2018. The study concluded that, the shift to other economic activities other than Agriculture is predominant in the study communities. The study policy recommendation is that local assemblies should encourage residents to plant in their homes, a required minimum number of trees to improve the biodiversity of the environment.
The work of human activities and its rapid effects on the land and the environment especially in neighbouring districts around cities like Accra cannot be overlooked. The purpose of the study was to assess the transforming livelihood strategies of residents of Ablekuma, Agape and Gonse. The study also ascertained the effects of the livelihood strategies changes on the extent of land cover changes. The sustainable livelihood and human-environment system concepts were combined to study assets and livelihood strategies changes residents relied on for survival in their communities. A mixed-method approach to research using the cross-sectional and case study designs was applied in the study. Three hundred and nine respondents answered questionnaires and 40 key informants, interviewed in the communities. The main findings of the study were that the dominant land cover in the three communities had gone through changes over the years, from 1991 to 2018. The study concluded that, the shift to other economic activities other than Agriculture is predominant in the study communities. The study policy recommendation is that local assemblies should encourage residents to plant in their homes, a required minimum number of trees to improve the biodiversity of the environment.
• Mensah, B., Darkwa, I. O., Bonful, E. Y., Tuu, M. B., Sanda, M. & Danso-Wiredu, E. Y. (2020). Patterns of Land Use Activities in Ghana’s Secondary Cities. Ghana Journal of Geography. AJOL, 12,
Abstract
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization has resulted in villages growing into towns and towns into urbanized areas. Theories and models have been employed to explain the internal structure of urban areas, especially, with respect to land use variations. These models started with the classical urban land use models in America. Urban scholars in Africa have struggled to fit the development of the African cities into these classical models. They have therefore called for African scholars to develop models for urban land use in Africa. This paper sought to identify the common patterns of land use activities which shape the internal structure of Ghana’s secondary cities. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis in explaining the patterns in urban areas. This is augmented with in-depth ground observations of the study areas. The findings of the study showed the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones as contradictions to the classical models. The study further revealed that residential zones were not fully occupied by either lower income, middle income, or higher income residence. The income groups may only dominate in a given sector. Based on the findings, a common pattern is proposed to represent the land uses within the selected secondary cities in Ghana.
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization has resulted in villages growing into towns and towns into urbanized areas. Theories and models have been employed to explain the internal structure of urban areas, especially, with respect to land use variations. These models started with the classical urban land use models in America. Urban scholars in Africa have struggled to fit the development of the African cities into these classical models. They have therefore called for African scholars to develop models for urban land use in Africa. This paper sought to identify the common patterns of land use activities which shape the internal structure of Ghana’s secondary cities. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis in explaining the patterns in urban areas. This is augmented with in-depth ground observations of the study areas. The findings of the study showed the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones as contradictions to the classical models. The study further revealed that residential zones were not fully occupied by either lower income, middle income, or higher income residence. The income groups may only dominate in a given sector. Based on the findings, a common pattern is proposed to represent the land uses within the selected secondary cities in Ghana.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., & Poku, A. (2020). . Family Compound Housing System Losing Its Value in Ghana: A Threat to Future Housing of the Poor, 17,
Abstract
The family compound housing system in Ghana ensures both nuclear and extended family live in the same house and have reciprocal relationships. It is a social safety net that prevents homelessness in Ghana. The rent-free compound housing remains predominant in rural areas and indigenous parts of the cities. However, many Ghanaians prefer to live in single-family houses rather than the family compounds, resulting in a gradual reduction in the number of family compound houses. Based on a study conducted in four communities, the article uses a qualitative approach, with social capital theory as the analytical basis for the research, to investigate why most Ghanaians now wish to live outside their family homes. Based on the findings, the article questions the future of housing the poor in Ghana if the family compound housing system collapses and suggests a rental form of compound housing as a new policy for the state.
The family compound housing system in Ghana ensures both nuclear and extended family live in the same house and have reciprocal relationships. It is a social safety net that prevents homelessness in Ghana. The rent-free compound housing remains predominant in rural areas and indigenous parts of the cities. However, many Ghanaians prefer to live in single-family houses rather than the family compounds, resulting in a gradual reduction in the number of family compound houses. Based on a study conducted in four communities, the article uses a qualitative approach, with social capital theory as the analytical basis for the research, to investigate why most Ghanaians now wish to live outside their family homes. Based on the findings, the article questions the future of housing the poor in Ghana if the family compound housing system collapses and suggests a rental form of compound housing as a new policy for the state.
• Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., & Sanda, M (2021). Environmental Dynamism: Increasing Housing Needs in Urban Ghana and Vegetation Sustainability. Environment, Space, Place, 13,
Abstract
The increasing needs for housing in Ghana are a result of urbanisation which is also a sign of improvement in the socio-economic lives of the people. Building of houses usually replaces prime vegetation land. The rate of indiscriminate devegetation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of the lack of a comprehensive land use policy implementation in the country. It is clearly stated in the country’s land use policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses will be assured by the state and that, the state will ensure every socio economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But, evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore, contributes to the environment-spatial land use conflict debate. It does this by focusing on the fast rate at which agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana is mainly used for housing purposes. It uses Accra and Tamale as examples to argue that if the content of the land use policy is not implemented to minimise the excessive devegetation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing utterly, its natural vegetation, especially, the forest vegetation. With the help of old maps, GIS and researchers’ observations, the study describes how the land use cover in areas close to the cities of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies which will reduce the rate of devegetation in the country..
The increasing needs for housing in Ghana are a result of urbanisation which is also a sign of improvement in the socio-economic lives of the people. Building of houses usually replaces prime vegetation land. The rate of indiscriminate devegetation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of the lack of a comprehensive land use policy implementation in the country. It is clearly stated in the country’s land use policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses will be assured by the state and that, the state will ensure every socio economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But, evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore, contributes to the environment-spatial land use conflict debate. It does this by focusing on the fast rate at which agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana is mainly used for housing purposes. It uses Accra and Tamale as examples to argue that if the content of the land use policy is not implemented to minimise the excessive devegetation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing utterly, its natural vegetation, especially, the forest vegetation. With the help of old maps, GIS and researchers’ observations, the study describes how the land use cover in areas close to the cities of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies which will reduce the rate of devegetation in the country..
Mensah, B.; Darkwa , I.O; Bonful,E.; Moses, B. T. Pomeyie,C. N; Mohammed S. & Danso-Wiredu E. Y
Ghana Geographers Association Annual Conference 2019: Smart Cities in the 21st Century: The Geographers Perspective.. KNUST, Kumasi 6th-10th August 2019
Paper presented:
Application of Classical Urban Land Use Models to Internal Structure of Ghanaian Cities
Abstract
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. Villages are growing into towns, towns into cities, and cities into more sophisticated planned areas. Theories and models have been postulated to explain the internal structure of cities in developed countries, especially with respect to land use variations: Concentric Zone model by Ernest W. Burgess, Sector model by Homer Hoyt, and Multiple nuclei by Harris and Ullman. Some scholars have argued that these classical models of urban structure developed in North America prior to 1945 have cross-cultural application. This paper basically sought to assess the extent to which the internal structure of some selected Ghanaian cities portray the land uses put forward by the classical urban land-use models. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis whiles making use of in-depth ground observations of the study cities. The findings of the study showed that, whereas the Central Business District, the wedge-shaped residential zones, and the presence of multiple nuclei were characteristic of some Ghanaian cities, the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones were typical contradictions. The models could therefore be applied minimally to the older inner areas of the selected cities. Based on this, a new urban land use model for Ghanaian cities is proposed in the study
Ghana is rapidly urbanizing. Villages are growing into towns, towns into cities, and cities into more sophisticated planned areas. Theories and models have been postulated to explain the internal structure of cities in developed countries, especially with respect to land use variations: Concentric Zone model by Ernest W. Burgess, Sector model by Homer Hoyt, and Multiple nuclei by Harris and Ullman. Some scholars have argued that these classical models of urban structure developed in North America prior to 1945 have cross-cultural application. This paper basically sought to assess the extent to which the internal structure of some selected Ghanaian cities portray the land uses put forward by the classical urban land-use models. The study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) as a major tool of analysis whiles making use of in-depth ground observations of the study cities. The findings of the study showed that, whereas the Central Business District, the wedge-shaped residential zones, and the presence of multiple nuclei were characteristic of some Ghanaian cities, the absence of homogeneity in most of the sectors and undefined industrial zones were typical contradictions. The models could therefore be applied minimally to the older inner areas of the selected cities. Based on this, a new urban land use model for Ghanaian cities is proposed in the study
Danso-WireduE. Y. and Mohammed S.
Ghana Geographers Association Annual Conference 2019: Smart Cities in the 21st Century: The Geographers Perspective. KNUST, Kumasi 6th-10th August 2019
Paper presented:
Environmental Dynamism: increasing housing needs in Urban Ghana, a threat to environmental resources?
Abstract
The rate of indiscriminate deforestation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of lack of a comprehensive land use policy in the country. Land has been managed through various legal instruments and customary practices. Since land is in the hands of the community members, the state seems helpless in ensuring that various land use purposes are achieved. Though it is clearly stated in the country’s land policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses, will be assured by the government, the same document states clearly that the state will ensure that every socio-economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore focuses on the use of agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana for housing purposes. This is a largely desktop research focusing on review of literature, the use of Old maps, GIS and employing observation techniques to study land cover change and housing provision. The study found out that land use cover in areas close to the city of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It concluded that if land use policy is not put in place to restrain Ghanaians from excessive deforestation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing its natural resources, especially, the forest vegetation. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies in the country.
The rate of indiscriminate deforestation for housing purpose in Ghana is as a result of lack of a comprehensive land use policy in the country. Land has been managed through various legal instruments and customary practices. Since land is in the hands of the community members, the state seems helpless in ensuring that various land use purposes are achieved. Though it is clearly stated in the country’s land policy that ‘the principle of optimum usage for all types of land uses, will be assured by the government, the same document states clearly that the state will ensure that every socio-economic activity is consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long-term. But evidence in the country is contrary to what is stipulated in the land use policy document. The study therefore focuses on the use of agricultural land at the fringes of urban Ghana for housing purposes. This is a largely desktop research focusing on review of literature, the use of Old maps, GIS and employing observation techniques to study land cover change and housing provision. The study found out that land use cover in areas close to the city of Accra and Tamale has largely been replaced by housing. It concluded that if land use policy is not put in place to restrain Ghanaians from excessive deforestation for housing, the country stands the chance of losing its natural resources, especially, the forest vegetation. It ends by advocating sound sustainable housing typologies in the country.
Danso-Wiredu E. Y., (2019). Our Environment and Us. Ghana in the Global Context.
Abstract
As especially human influences on the natural environment is deepening and changing in all aspects and at a speed difficult to comprehend, both current and past experiences have been blended to illustrate the contents of this book in a bid to improve readers’ appreciation and keep them abreast of the times. Our Environment and Us: Ghana in the Global Context highlights both spatial and temporal constraints on human beings to conceptualize and act swiftly on threats pose by the environment. Globally, there is a wide difference between the lived experiences of the environment between the western and the developing countries. As most developing countries struggle to find their daily sustenance and therefore give no regards to how they are obtained, the Western world has reached a stage that they are usually mindful of how sustenance is used without compromising on environmental sustainability. In order to develop a suitable approach and methodology to the current research, the history of human environment research, and the theoretical context to the scientific research, needs to be understood. The book reveals to the reader the theories, concepts and research that are used to explain the relationship between human beings and their environment.
As especially human influences on the natural environment is deepening and changing in all aspects and at a speed difficult to comprehend, both current and past experiences have been blended to illustrate the contents of this book in a bid to improve readers’ appreciation and keep them abreast of the times. Our Environment and Us: Ghana in the Global Context highlights both spatial and temporal constraints on human beings to conceptualize and act swiftly on threats pose by the environment. Globally, there is a wide difference between the lived experiences of the environment between the western and the developing countries. As most developing countries struggle to find their daily sustenance and therefore give no regards to how they are obtained, the Western world has reached a stage that they are usually mindful of how sustenance is used without compromising on environmental sustainability. In order to develop a suitable approach and methodology to the current research, the history of human environment research, and the theoretical context to the scientific research, needs to be understood. The book reveals to the reader the theories, concepts and research that are used to explain the relationship between human beings and their environment.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y. and Sam E. F (2019). Commodity-Based Trading Associations at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Geography, 11,
Abstract
The decentralisation policy in Ghana ensures urban governance is controlled at the local levels. Rules set by state institutions in many cases lack the ability to penetrate into the locality for lack of trust and proper enforcement measures. It is common to find non-state organisations teaming up with the state or independently governing their localities. Such governance extends to market places. The uniqueness of what pertains at the market is the pronounced role women play in it. Agbogbloshie market is one of the largest markets in Ghana. Commodity-trading associations at the market act as governors at the market. The market associations function effectively because they have political power from the state to operate at the local level. The research is based on a qualitative research involving interviews, observation and participant’s observation. The paper discusses the role non-state organisations play at the local level in ensuring sustainable governance, focusing on Agbogbloshie. It stresses on how women possess power in the informal governance systems in Ghanaian markets. It argues that governance system is more effective and well understood at the local level than the state instituted system, and thus concludes on the need for collaboration between the two systems. Keywords Commodity-based-trading-associations; urban-governance; market-women; Agbogbloshie; Accra; Ghana
The decentralisation policy in Ghana ensures urban governance is controlled at the local levels. Rules set by state institutions in many cases lack the ability to penetrate into the locality for lack of trust and proper enforcement measures. It is common to find non-state organisations teaming up with the state or independently governing their localities. Such governance extends to market places. The uniqueness of what pertains at the market is the pronounced role women play in it. Agbogbloshie market is one of the largest markets in Ghana. Commodity-trading associations at the market act as governors at the market. The market associations function effectively because they have political power from the state to operate at the local level. The research is based on a qualitative research involving interviews, observation and participant’s observation. The paper discusses the role non-state organisations play at the local level in ensuring sustainable governance, focusing on Agbogbloshie. It stresses on how women possess power in the informal governance systems in Ghanaian markets. It argues that governance system is more effective and well understood at the local level than the state instituted system, and thus concludes on the need for collaboration between the two systems. Keywords Commodity-based-trading-associations; urban-governance; market-women; Agbogbloshie; Accra; Ghana
