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Recent Submissions
Evaluation of Potential Impacts of the Introduction of Electric Vehicles in the Transportation Sector in Ghana
(UENR, 2025-09) Arthur, O.J.
This study evaluated the potential environmental, economic, and socio-technical impacts of adopting electric vehicles (EVs) in Ghana using well-to-wheels analysis, cost comparison, and policy review. Findings reveal that substituting internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) with EVs could reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions by 30–45%, equivalent to 2.5–3.2 tonnes of CO₂ avoided per vehicle annually. Local air pollutants such as NOₓ and PM₂.₅ could decline by 25– 40% and up to 30%, respectively, improving air quality and public health. Although EVs currently cost 30–50% more than ICEVs, their lower operating costs yield annual savings of US$800–1,200, translating into lifetime savings of US$8,000–12,000 per vehicle. These benefits make EVs economically viable in the long term, especially with supportive government incentives. Policy implications emphasize the need for a coherent national EV framework integrating fiscal incentives, renewable-powered charging infrastructure, and public–private partnerships. Policymakers should prioritize EV integration into Ghana’s transport and energy systems through tax reforms, import duty waivers, and local manufacturing support. Electrifying commercial transport fleets could further enhance emission reductions and energy security.
The study contributes to existing literature by providing context-specific empirical evidence on EV adoption in Ghana, addressing gaps in environmental, economic, and policy analysis within developing economies. It extends the Diffusion of Innovations and Sustainable Development theories to assess socio-technical readiness and institutional feasibility in low- and middle-income contexts. Overall, EV adoption represents a viable pathway toward Ghana’s sustainable transport transition and national emission reduction goals.
Assessing the Socioeconomic Environmental and Water Quality Impacts of Illegal Gold Mining in Mankranso Ashanti Region – Ghana - Implications for Sustainable Environmental Management
(UENR, 2025-11) Afi, K.E.
Illegal gold mining (galamsey) has become one of the most pressing environmental and social challenges in Ghana, contributing to water pollution, land degradation, and community vulnerability. Despite its role in rural livelihoods, its unregulated nature raises major concerns for sustainability. This study examined the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of illegal smallscale gold mining (galamsey) in Mankranso, Ghana. Data were collected through household surveys (n = 372), geospatial analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) change, and river water quality monitoring. Water samples were collected from upstream, midstream, and downstream sections of mining sites and analysed for heavy metals and physicochemical parameters using standard procedures. Results showed that unemployment (44.1%) and high profitability (30.9%) were the main drivers of participation in galamsey. Communities reported social challenges such as teenage pregnancy, child labour, drug abuse, and prostitution linked to mining. Water quality deteriorated significantly downstream, with turbidity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids exceeding WHO standards, while heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Fe) surpassed permissible limits, particularly in the wet season. Cyanide was detectable but within WHO standards. LULC analysis revealed major declines in forest and agricultural land, with increases in bare land and mining areas, confirming widespread land degradation and riverbank erosion. Classification accuracies exceeded 85% (Kappa > 0.80). Overall, the findings highlight the dual role of galamsey as a livelihood source and a driver of severe environmental degradation and social disruption. The study recommends integrated interventions combining alternative livelihood support, stricter regulation, improved water supply, community education, and sustained geospatial monitoring to safeguard public health and natural resources.
Phytodisinfection of Wastewater - Efficacy of Ocimum Gratissimum Leaf Extract
(UENR, 2025-10) Agyei, A.M.
Waterborne microbial pathogens continue to pose a significant public health challenge, especially in resource-limited settings. While plant-based disinfectants offer a promising, sustainable alternative, their direct application in complex water treatment remains underresearched. This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of ethanolic Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract against Escherichia coli, a primary indicator of microbial contamination. The extract’s phytochemical profile was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify key functional groups. Antimicrobial activity was initially confirmed via a disc diffusion assay, followed by quantitative determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) using broth microdilution. The extract’s dose-dependent efficacy was then assessed in both simulated contaminated water and real waste water samples.
The results showed that O. gratissimum extract exhibited significant inhibitory and bactericidal activity against E. coli. In sterile contaminated water, a concentration of 50% (v/v) achieved a ≥99.9% microbial reduction, confirming its potential as a potent disinfectant. However, its effectiveness was reduced in real wastewater, where a 50% concentration achieved approximately 71% microbial reduction. This reduced efficacy is attributed to the high-strength wastewater matrix, characterized by high levels of turbidity (800 NTU) and total suspended solids (TSS) (1,400 mg/L). The study's findings confirm the extract's strong dose-dependent antimicrobial potential and its value as a complementary, plant-based disinfectant for decentralized water treatment. This research provides novel insights into the practical application of O. gratissimum, suggesting its potential as a sustainable solution in resource constrained areas.
Spatial Modeling of Microplastic Concentration in Lake Volta
(UENR, 2025-09) Andoh, N.C.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have emerged over the past decade as one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, particularly in aquatic systems. While initial research has predominantly focused on marine environments, examining MPs in sediments, surface waters, and biota, it is now increasingly evident that freshwater ecosystems are equally vulnerable. MPs enter aquatic systems through land-based sources transported via rivers and streams, as well as contributions from fisheries and shipping activities. Although global attention to MPs in freshwater is expanding, significant research gaps persist in Africa, with Ghana's inland waters—especially Lake Volta—receiving minimal investigation despite their ecological and socioeconomic importance. Specifically, there is a lack of spatially explicit data on MP distribution, limited understanding of source-to-sink pathways in large tropical reservoirs, and inadequate integration of social practices with environmental contamination patterns in the region.
This study addresses these gaps through an innovative, multi-matrix spatial assessment that integrates household surveys, environmental sampling, and biological analysis within a unified analytical framework. Guided by the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) theoretical model, the research systematically examines human-induced pressures (solid waste management practices), environmental state (MP distribution in water and sediment), and biological impacts (bioaccumulation in fish), culminating in evidence-based response strategies. The study is further structured by a novel conceptual framework that maps the complete pollution pathway from land-based activities through aquatic transport to biological uptake, enabling holistic source attribution and risk assessment. Key innovations include: (1) the first comprehensive spatial mapping of MPs across Lake Volta using GISbased interpolation to identify pollution hotspots; (2) integrated sourceto-impact analysis linking household waste practices directly to environmental contamination and biological exposure; and (3) application of advanced spectroscopic techniques (ATR-FTIR) combined with ecological risk indices to quantify both immediate and long-term contamination threats. Empirical findings revealed that solid waste mismanagement—a critical pressure—was widespread, with 40.0% of lakeshore households generating predominantly plastic waste, yet only 40.0% aware of waste segregation and 51.9% disposing of waste near their homes. Environmental analyses confirmed significant MP contamination, with average concentrations of 15.88 ± 10.69 MPs/L in surface water and 148.33 ± 119.35 MPs/kg in sediment, significantly higher in sediments (p < 0.001). Fibers and polyethylene dominated, with spatial hotspots identified in fishing-intensive zones (SII, SVI, SVII). Biological uptake was confirmed with 229 MPs detected in 96 fish specimens, averaging 2.47 ± 1.30 MPs per tilapia and 2.29 ± 1.73 MPs per catfish. MPs were negatively correlated with pH and dissolved oxygen, revealing physicochemical controls on distribution. While Ecological Risk Index (ERI) values (30.52 water, 27.44 sediment) indicated low immediate risk, Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) values (14.76 water, 13.02 sediment) signaled significant long-term contamination potential.
Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Lake Volta faces escalating MP pollution with clear ecological and socioeconomic implications. The study provides the first spatially explicit evidence base for MP contamination in Ghana's largest freshwater reservoir, offering novel insights into pollution drivers, distribution patterns, and biological transfer. Informed by the PSR framework, urgent interventions—including strengthened waste management, targeted plastic recovery, community education, and spatially explicit monitoring—are required to safeguard fisheries, livelihoods, and water security in the Lake Volta basin. This research establishes a transferable methodological framework for assessing MP pollution in similar freshwater systems across West Africa.
Effects of Biochar Application Rates on Growth of Terminalia Superba Seedlings Soil Chemical Properties and Soil Organic Carbon under Nursery Conditions
(UENR, 2025-09) Abonkra, Y.B.
Producing high quality seedlings is essential for successful plantation establishment and the choice of growing medium plays a critical role. This study determined the effects of biochar application rates by volume (v) on the growth of Terminalia superba seedlings and on key soil chemical properties under nursery conditions. Biochar was amended to sandy loam soil at different rates in two nursery experiments conducted. Experiment one constituted 10% (v), 25% (v) and 50% (v) biochar amendment rate and control (unamended topsoil), each replicated six times. Experiment two constituted 2% (v), 5% (v) and 10% (v) and each replicated three times. Biochar treatments in both experiments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). In both experiments, seedling growth parameters (seedling height, root collar diameter and number of leaves) and soil chemical properties (pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and soil organic carbon) were observed. The results showed that biochar amendment significantly influenced seedling growth parameters and soil chemical properties. In experiment one, the 10% (v) biochar treatment significantly increased seedling growth parameters compared to the control, while the highest rate biochar amendment 50% (v) suppressed seedling growth parameters. Similarly, in experiment two, low biochar amendment rates 2% (v) and 5% (v) enhanced seedling growth parameters. In both experiments, biochar consistently improved soil chemical properties. In experiment one, pH increased significantly by 0.92 units, N by 164%, P by 51%, K by 68% and SOC by 114% relative to the control. In experiment two, N increased significantly by 189%, P by 61%, K by 48% and SOC by 146% compared to the control. Higher biochar amendment rates (v) significantly increased pH, N, K and SOC, while P significantly increased mainly at low to moderate rates (v). The study concludes that low biochar amendment rates (v) are optimal for raising Terminalia superba seedlings, whereas higher rates (v) are more suitable for enhancing soil carbon sequestration and long-term soil fertility.