URBANISATION AND LAND USE CHANGES IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF THE WA MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

Abstract

The recent upsurge in urban growth and decentralisation of economic activities has made urban fringe a topical issue in both local and international debates. The Wa Municipality is urbanising at such an unprecedented rate that the peri-urban areas within the Municipality are bearing the brunt of this seemingly unstoppable growth. This study was conducted to find out the land use changes confronting the inhabitants of the immediate peri-urban areas of the Wa Municipality. The study is qualitative in nature and adopted the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. The findings of the study have revealed that the main drivers of urbanisation were migration and increased birth rates as 67% of respondents agreed that urbanisation is caused by migration and increased birth rates. Also, 45% of respondents said that land is now mostly being used for residential purposes as against farming. Again 77% of respondents agreed that the land use change has resulted in the loss of farm lands. The Municipal Assembly is also aware of the land use changes that have occurred in the municipality in general and the four study communities in particular. The Municipality's urbanisation has huge negative implications and cost consequences for the study communities. Many of the farm lands belonging to the indigenes, which were used for the cultivation of food crops, have been taken over by private estate developers. Furthermore, there has also been an astronomical increase in the price of land in the communities, thereby forcing a greater number of the inhabitants out of the communities with its attendant migration challenges of the youth. Residential sprawl is associated with unauthorised land development. Buildings are erected without prior authorisation from planning agencies (Aryeetey-Attoh, 2001). Urban sprawl leads to unplanned and un serviced settlements where mostly poor inhabitants do not have access to adequate housing, sanitation, waste disposal, electricity and water supply (Drakakis-Smith, 2000). The study calls for the protection of the few farm lands that are still available in these communities by reserving them for only farming purposes. Then also, vigorous and extensive family planning education campaign can be embarked upon to persuade the people to practice family planning so as to have families they can easily manage as well as ensure sustainable use of the limited space that they have.