HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT CHALLEGES OF AGROCHEMICALS IN GHANA: THE CASE OF STAKE-HOLDERS IN THE WA MUNICIPALTY

Abstract

The study is an examination of the Health and Safety Management Challenges of Agrochemicals Use and Handling in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. It also looked at the role of stakeholders in the sale and healthy administration of agrochemicals. The study adopted a multi-case study approach involving different communities in the Wa Municipality. Eighteen communities in the Wa Municipality were captured for the study and three data collection instruments were adopted which included: Structured Interview, Focus Group Interview and Non-participant Observations. Results revealed that agrochemicals have attained remarkable place in the Wa Municipality with dealers proclaiming that the sale of agrochemicals is a lucrative business. Farmers equally declared their love for agrochemicals particularly fertilizers as they testified that the soils in the Wa Municipality are poor and have lost their nutrients over the years due to continuous cropping of the land, Health professionals however, expressed possible threats that agrochemicals could pose to humans, biodiversity and the environment. Agrochemicals handlers were identified to have inadequate information on safe chemical management precautions. Most agrochemical handlers do not protect themselves with any personal protective equipment. Illiteracy level among farmers was identified to be on the higher side and chances are that they will not he able to read and interpret chemical specifications during calibration and usage. The study concluded that the management challenges of agrochemicals is broad and requires a broad-base-approach, involving a holistic stake-holder commitment. Some recommendations were made to fine-tune policy directions on agrochemicals health and safety management.