Household Coping Strategies of Water Scarcity: The Case of Madina, A Suburb of the La- Nkwantanang District in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

The study examines the precipitating factors for water shortage and water shortage effects on Madina residents, a peri-urban community of Accra, and the forms of coping mechanisms adopted due to water scarcity. The study utilised both primary and secondary data; results revealed that the following effects of water scarcity on residents: lateness to school, inadequate sleep, a more significant percentage of family income and time used on water, increased poverty, low productivity and poor sanitation among others. The forms of coping mechanisms include harvesting rainwater, using bagged or sachet water, multiple uses of water, depending on public toilets. The topography of the Madina, few boreholes or wells, lack of pipe-born water, lack of maintenance of pipelines, increase in population, and lack of projections for the future constitute reasons for water shortage in the study area. The effects of water shortage gave rise to coping strategies and social conflict, which also have socioeconomic implications on residents. The study concludes that GWCL has not been able to satisfy the ever-increasing water demands of urban dwellers, including peri-urban communities such as Madina, that the age-long water crisis in Madina affects all aspects of the social and economic lives of its residents. Recommendations include the incorporation of roof–water harvesting techniques into modern buildings' design. Also, the hygienic use of greywater must be vigorously promoted. The Government of Ghana must also continue to engage in open consultation with stakeholders regarding alternative approaches to expanding access to clean and affordable water, mainly to the urban dwellers where the problem is most severe.

Keywords: water scarcity, coping strategies, households.

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/76-05

Publication date:June 30^th 2021