Instructor: Dr. F. W. Y. Momade

Project: Waste Management Studies; Habits Transformed from the Rural to Urban Settings

This project will examine environmental consciousness in the city of Kumasi as a result of urban migration. Practices, which are prevalent and suitable to a rural setting, when relocated into an urban setting, can cause severe environmental and social issues. Several methods of conducting daily activities, such as sweeping the dirt from one's house, will be explored in conjunction with studies of prevalent issues which may alter environmental adherence, such as the issue of processed verses non-processed foods.

The student will have the opportunity to conduct research in both Kumasi and neighboring villages, working directly with community members.

Among several other questions, the student could explore the following:

• What daily practices are prevalent in villages, including cleaning, food preparation, waste disposal, animal care, etc.?
• How many of these practices are maintained when community members migrate to the city?
• What problems do these transformations present?
• Is land assigned in the city, or is it left to the care of the municipal authority? How does this affect one's stewardship for the land?
• How do transformed eating practices affect environmental conditions within cities?
• What could be done to construct and modify these conditions, practices, and mentalities? How are improvements possible, while still maintaining indigenous practices and cultural identity?