Exploring socio-economic effects of annual flooding on the residents of Saboba district in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This study explored the socio-economic effect of annual flooding on the residents of the Saboba district in the northern region, Ghana. The study examined the causes of flooding in the district, the consequences flood has on residents' socio-cultural lives, household agricultural productivity and income and the coping mechanisms of residents in the district. Data was gathered using focus group discussions, key informants’ interview, observation and questionnaires. The study district was clustered into three zones (Saboba, Kpalba and Wapuli zones) purposively for the data gathering. The research participants for the interviews were selected using a purposeful sampling technique, while multi-stage sampling technique was used for the quantitative data. The findings, suggested that the topography and the overflow of the Oti river tributaries of the Saboba district were some of the causes of the annual flooding. There was an association between low yield and income due to unfavourable weather and the eratic rainfall pattern. Also, it was shown that weak communal bonds were cripped in among the members of the communities due to poor harvest yields. As a result, demotivated community members to celebrate or perform annual harvest festivals that served to bring families and relations together. Besides, it was indicated that there was an association between flooding and planting, harvesting times and the availability of labour. Additionally, household were displaced, smallhoder farmers were affected as the poor roads obstructed access to farm inputs and the markets. Waterborne diseases proliferated and the educational system was disrupted due to the annual flooding incidence on the Saboba district. However, the residents coped either autonomously or through institutional support.The study recommends that government organisations, thus NADMO tasked with managing flood disasters should be better funded and staffed with well trained personnel to enhance their ability to deal with the annual floods in the district. Household members and major community stakeholder engagement should be encourahed to gather insights into their experiences with the causes of flooding and how to mitigate them. Central government through the district assembly should harness its national programmes such as one village one dam construction to trap the excess water from River Oti and use it for irrigation to enhance food security and income in the district.