water sources, infrastructure, space and the dynamics of ...

Water sources, infrastructure, space and the dynamics of environmental diseases in Saboba District: Using GISerosion leading to the formation of gullies. The area consists of mainlygrassland, interspersed with guinea savannah woodland characterised bydrought resistant trees like baobab, sheanut, acacia and neem.Population of the areaAccording to Ghana Statistical Service, GSS, (2005a) the population ofthe former Saboba-Chereponi District in 2000 was 93,847 with 47,051(50.1%) being females and 46,796 (49.9%) males. The population wasestimated to be 113,087 in 2005, of which about half of it could be thepopulation of Saboba district alone. The growth rate is estimated to be2.9% and sex ratio is 99.5. The population in the district have beenincreasing considerably due to high birth rate and reducing death rates.Another factor is the return of Konkombas (indigenes) from the nearbydistricts after the 1994 ethnic conflict and the booming of tradingactivities. The 1994 ethnic conflict between Konkombas and Kombas onone hand and Dagombas, Nanumbas and Mamprusis on the othercaused many Konkombas to move to Saboba district where many ofthem consider as their “native” place. The movement of Konkombas toSaboba area is still occurring, but on a limited scale. The urbanpopulation is less than 20%. The population of the district is made up ofmainly one ethnic group, Konkombas (indigenes), who form over 80%of the district’s population. Other minor ethnic groups are the Moshies,Ewes, Basaris, Dagaatis and Akans. Varied religious bodies such asChristianity, Traditional African Religion and Islam exist.Economic Activities and Agricultural Land useMore than 80% of the population in the district is engaged in rain-fedsubsistent agriculture. Cultivable land area is about 40% with extensionofficer/farmer ratio of 1:5,996 (District Planning Coordinating Unit,2002). There is only one farming season, which coincides with the rainsfrom April to October. The hoes and bullocks are the main methods ofland preparation. However, tractor ploughing is increasingly being usedof late, due to the so-called mechanisation of agriculture. The people areengaged in both food and cash crop production such as rice, maize,millet, yam, cassava, cotton and cashew. The inhabitants also rear (freerange)animals like cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry. Trading, foodprocessing, fishing, pottery and shea butter processing are thecommercial and small-scale industrial activities undertaken in the district.Studies conducted by the District Assembly and Integrated DevelopmentCentre (2004) show that women are engaged in only the less skillintensiveactivities such as petty trading and pottery due to little/noeducational background and ownership of capital.Education, Transport and Social FacilitiesFormal education was first introduced to the inhabitants in 1944, and hassprung up subsequently after the introduction of the policy of FreeCompulsory Basic Education by the Convention People’s Party (CPP)Government in 1950/60s. There are currently one Senior High School,one Technical institute and several Junior High Schools, primaries andday-nurseries in the district. None of the roads within Saboba district ismotorable in all seasons. The roads are all paved and gravelled type, withfeatures of third class category. Also present are all categories offootpaths. Basic social amenities like health centres, pipe borne waterand electricity are also present.9