Demographic Characteristics of Population With Affinity for Wetland Settlements in Ghana.

Wetlands all over Africa are being unsustainably reclaimed due mostly to high rate of population growth, urbanization and rising poverty. Despite having numerous ecosystem services that are of great benefit to humanity, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems due to destructive anthropogenic activities. However in order to sustainably use and manage wetlands in Africa, more data must be made available for policy formulation and decision-making. Africa lacks sufficient, basic and accurate data on population demographics that have affinity to wetland settlement. Research is needed to provide this scientific basis in Africa. This study investigates the demographic characteristics of the population with affinity to wetland settlements in Ghana to also contribute in filling in the gap identified by the National Environmental Action Plan of Ghana. The questionnaire survey approach was used with a sample size of 318 residents along two rivers in Kumasi. The demographic information that characterizes wetland settlers as revealed by this study include, low incomes, high rate of unemployment and poverty and low patronization of formal education. The high percentage of those with Senior High School certificates holders at the wetlands was also alarming. The settlers were mostly young and active. However, it was also found that data on the gender, ethnicity and religion of wetland settlers must be better determined at individual localities.

Hubungan Jenis Dinding dan Atap dengan Suhu dan Kelembaban Rumah Pada Pemukiman Lahan Basah

The wetland settlements are swamp ecosystems including peat swamps which are affected by fresh and brackish water. One of the characteristics of wetlands has low elevation and affected by tides. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the type of wall and roof with the temperature and humidity of the house in the wetland settlement in Desa Tamban Lupak Kecamatan Kapuas Kuala Kabupaten Kapuas. Research design with Cross Sectional Study. The sample in this study totaled 58 housing units. Data analysis using the Spearman –rho correlation test. Statistical test results showed the type of wall with house temperature has no relationship with the Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.439> α = 0.05. The type of roof with house temperature has no relationship with the Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.204> α = 0.05. The type of wall with house humidity has no relationship with the Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.767> α = 0.05. The type of roof with house humidity has no relationship with the value of Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.099> α = 0.05. This study showed that there was no relationship between the type of wall and roof with the temperature and humidity of the house in a wetland settlement.