Perceptions of Environmental and Health Effects of Quarry Activities at Klefe in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region

Abstract

Expansion of residential and commercial facilities have contributed to rapid urbanization of Ho municipality. As a result, quarry activities have intensified in Klefe a major stone quarry source for construction. The increased demand for quarry stones has created jobs for many but has also led to the perception of health and environment challenges negatively affecting the people and the natural environment. In view of the extensive quarry activities in the area, the aim of the study was to assess perceptions of effects of quarrying activities on human health and the environment. Stratified random sampling method was used to select respondents to answer questions on a questionnaire and application of a relative importance index to examine what the study community perceive as the most important environmental and health effects of quarrying. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine relationships existing among environmental hazards and their perceived health effects. Sedimentation, land degradation and injury from quarrying were the main perceived effects of quarrying. Efforts to address any perceived effects of quarrying should focus on sedimentation, land degradation and injury from quarrying.