Francis Atta Kuranchie

Discover how energy audits at a Ghanaian university hostel reveal ways to boost efficiency, cut costs, and inspire sustainable practices in student housing.

Faecal sludge (FS) management is pertinent to the achievement of sustainable development goal 6.2 around the world; yet it is constrained by urbanisation challenges, waste management complexities, and defective attitudes. These deny communities of the plausible supply of resources from FS. This paper assesses the perception underpinning the occurrence of nonfaecal matter in FS in Ghana. Primary data were obtained from 400 respondents in four communities in Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana, using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed by using STATA software version 15. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were conducted on all independent variables and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05 . The study identified the following as the most perceived frequently disposed nonfaecal matter into FS: sanitary pads and diapers (38.5%), fabrics/rags (23.2%), toilet rolls (20.8%), razor/shaving sticks (10.3%), and others (7.2%). Gender, state of toilet facility (roof or unroofed), presence of container for collecting other types of waste in the toilet room, and state of container in toilet room either covered or uncovered were the factors found to be significantly associated with the disposal of solid waste (SW) into FS at 95% confidence level. The fear of exposing used sanitary materials for rituals, the use of fabric as an alternative to toilet rolls, and the desire to conceal aborted pregnancies from the public were some of the reasons alluded to the disposal acts. Education and awareness campaigns on proper SW disposal practices, appropriate use of toilet facilities, and the resource potentials of FS were found to be the best way forward to discourage indiscriminate disposal of SW into FS.

The study assessed water shortages and its effects on sanitation in Senior High Schools using structured questionnaires involving water availability, water use pattern and perception of greywater reuse. Additionally, an observation of the sanitation situation was done to validate the responses. The study found that water availability was an issue as this caused students to use more than an hour round trip to access water resulting in poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Meanwhile, an average greywater generation rate of 14.5 L per person per day, is always disposed of despite its potential reuse. Greywater reuse was accepted by respondents as 59% proposed reusing it if available for non‐potable applications (94%) such as toilet cleaning and flushing. This is because, there is a significant association between cleanliness of the toilet facilities and usage (P < 0.05). Respondents who declined greywater reuse cited health risks (58%), uncomfortable feeling (37%) and cultural issue (5%).

Research has proven that pelletized sawdust fuel is a possible replacement for charcoal and firewood. However, the conventional coal pot does not correctly support the use of pelletized sawdust as a possible replacement fuel for charcoal. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a new and efficient biomass stove that utilized pelletized sawdust as its fuel. The improved biomass stove was designed and constructed, and its performance was tested using water boiling test (WBT 4.1.2). The performance of the biomass stove was compared with that of conventional coal pot. In addition, a checklist was developed to ascertain the economic and environmental potential of biomass stove. The results obtained in the study indicated that there was a better performance of the improved biomass stove with a boiling point of 9 min, a burning rate of 0.09 kg/h, and a thermal efficiency of 35.5%, comparable to the boiling point of 30 min, burning rate of 0.13 kg/h, and thermal efficiency of 18% of the conventional coal stove. 80–100% of the users affirmed that the new improved biomass stove is cost-efficient, the most effective way of doing cooking, an inexpensive fuel source, and the most convenient.

This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing composite septic tank to reduce cost, save space and prevent faecal related diseases. Survey research methodology was adopted based on people’s experience with septic tank, water use, soil properties, land space, user numbers and user satisfaction. The study also provides procedure in the design of a two-compartment septic tank with soil absorption field for three composite houses of thirty residents. Calculation utilizing Brazilian code was employed in the sizing of a two-compartment septic tank, which considers the tank in four zones; the scum zone, the sedimentation zone, the sludge digestion zone and the sludge storage zone. It was found that majority of the residents in the study area connected with septic tanks are not only willing to share composite septic tanks but are also financially capable of constructing and maintaining it. Shared septic tank coupled with suitable conditions is cost effective for households. Key words: Shared septic tank, households, sanitation, septic tank design, cost effective.

Gasoline plays an important role as fuel for engines, but its use is replete with a high probability of adverse health to persons along the distribution chain, especially pump attendants. This study is a systematic review of the literature on gasoline exposure and the specific risks of adverse health on pump attendants by benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene (BTEX) to instigate policy in Ghana. A careful review of the literature indicates that pump attendants are at risk of developing cancer and non-cancer health hazards. This is particularly so in Ghana due to poor safe work practices and controls at pump stations. Occupational and environmental health and safety is not legislated in Ghana, there is poor awareness of gasoline hazards (especially BTEX) among pump attendants, and poor pump infrastructure controls for BTEX exposure mitigation. Although Ghana has revised the motor gasoline standard to reflect 1%v/v benzene and 35%v/v maximum volatile aromatic compounds, the absence of an exposure standard for BTEX compounds makes it necessary to monitor these compounds. In the absence of a national occupational, health and safety legislation, corporate organizations must establish specific policies that are committed to minimizing exposure to BTEX compounds including personal protection, adequate engineering controls, and tailored management practices.

In improving the aesthetics of the environment, the management of plastic wastes cannot be left out of the picture. Among the numerous ways that plastic wastes are managed, incorporating them into plastic roads is another viable option. This study quantified plastic wastes generation in Sunyani Municipality in Ghana and investigated the optimum percentage of asphaltic materials that could be made of plastic wastes for road construction in Ghana. Plastic Wastes were obtained from social gatherings, residential areas and restaurants, there was dialogue with key persons in the plastic industry and various experiments were also conducted for plastic wastes utilization in road construction. It was found that only one entrepreneur recycles the plastic wastes to make bags, dustbins, ropes and many more in the Municipality. It was also estimated that plastic wastes generation in the municipality per capita was 49.7 g/person/day whiles the total plastic wastes generated in the Municipality was 6,725.64 kg/day. In addition, numerous experimentations proved that it is possible to substitute about 10% of asphaltic road materials with plastic wastes as plastic coated aggregates (PCA) to meet the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) standards for road construction. The novelty finding in this research is that substitution of about 10% or more of asphaltic road materials in Ghana with plastic wastes could bring economy and cost savings in both road construction and plastic wastes management in Ghana.