Environmental Impact of Clay Harvesting at Mpraeso Amanfrom in the Kwahu- West Municipal of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

In Ghana, clay is a widely distributed and abundant mineral resource for major industrial and economic importance for a humongous variety of uses. Ghana's commonest and popular way of clay harvesting is by open pit method. Most harvesters usually abandon the harvested site immediately after their harvesting activities without reclaiming it. Therefore the main aim of the study is to find out the environmental impact of clay harvesting at Kwahu Mpraeso Amanfrom in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Ten (10) people each were selected randomly from five sampling sites. This gave a total sample size of fifty (50) for the study. The main instruments used for data collection were structured questionnaire and interviews, and physical observation of site and community base response survey. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the raw data and the results presented using frequency distribution tables. The nearness of the clay harvesting sites to river bodies was major pollution source to the water bodies. It was further realized from the analysis that 90% of the respondents accepted that the harvested lands were not reclaimed. Thematic educational programs should be organized for clay harvesters in the area by the government through the municipal assembly to educate them on the impacts of indiscriminate clay harvesting on the environment so that the clay harvesters become conscious of environmental degradation and its effect. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should intensify their supervisory role at the clay harvesting sites in these areas to curb the menace to the environment