Landscape dynamics and related geo-hazard in the Ga South Municipality, Ghana

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.