Instructor: Dr. Kweku Yeboah

Project: Sanitation Problems in the City

This project will entail detailed studies of urban pollution and sanitation issues. Understanding cultural, social, political, and economic means and consequences which have led to the current conditions in Accra, will be the main emphasis of research. The student will examine why individuals throw their trash into the streets and gutters, why rivers are excessively polluted, what alternatives exist for sanitation, and how personal health is compromised given the conditions. Population studies will be included in the examination, as well as research that will examine the various functions of community development. Methods of behavioral and ethical change will be explored, while the student will take the affect of such changes on cultures and socio-economic groups into consideration.

Research will be performed in Accra, as the student will set up several case study communities to work with. The student will conduct interviews and work with several community members throughout their stay in Accra.

Among several questions, the student could explore the following:

• Are there better alternatives to plastic bags for water and food items?
• Why is there so much garbage in Accra? Is there a system to remove it?
• Is population pressure a key component in the worsening sanitation conditions?
• What attitude towards the environment have various community members adopted?
• How do their origins, religion, cultural and social identities contribute to this outlook?