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Population Dynamics and Natural Resources in the Volta in the Volta River Basin of Ghana

Ghana Journal of Development Studies

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Title Population Dynamics and Natural Resources in the Volta in the Volta River Basin of Ghana
 
Creator Codjoe, S N; Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
 
Subject —
Population, Natural resources, Volta River Basin, Human Settlement Land Use/Coverage Change
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Description The Volta River basin, which covers about 400,000 km2 is one of the most economically deprived areas in Africa (average annual income is estimated at US$ 800 per year) although precious mineral resources (gold, diamond, manganese, bauxite etc.) abound. Rain-fed and some irrigated agriculture is the main economic activity of the majority of the population living in this region. High population growth rate has brought in its wake a lot of consequences for agricultural land, water and forest resources. This paper, which concentrates on the Volta River Basin in Ghana examines the trend and pattern of population growth and distribution within the various sub-basins from 1960 to 2010. The main sources of data for determining the variables used, i.e., population size, population density, settlement and urbanization, of the sub-basins, and their subsequent projection are derived from the Population Census Reports of Ghana, for 1960, 1970, 1984 and 2000. The study also examines the effect of population growth on three key natural resources (agricultural land, water and forest resources). Results show that there were increases in population, settlements and the level of urbanization in all the sub-basins of the Volta River in Ghana between 1960 and 2000. Projections also show that these increases will continue in the future. Also, population growth is causing shortfalls in agricultural land, deforestation and high demand on water resources in some of the sub-basins of the Volta River Keywords: Population, Natural resources, Volta River Basin, Human Settlement Land Use/Coverage Change Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 66-82
 
Publisher Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Ghana
 
Contributor —
 
Date 2007-05-29
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
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Format application/pdf
 
Identifier https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjds/article/view/35044
10.4314/gjds.v3i2.35044
 
Source Ghana Journal of Development Studies; Vol 3, No 2 (2006); 66-82
0855-6768
 
Language eng
 
Relation https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjds/article/view/35044/24949
 
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Rights © 2018 The authors.The Ghana Journal of Development Studies is published twice a year (May & October) by the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies as a service to development related research.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the written authorisation of the publisher and copyright owner.The content is licensed uder a CC-BY license.