Urban Mining As a Livelihood Strategy the Case of Scrap Metal Trade In
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UNIVERSITY OF GHANA DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT URBAN MINING AS A LIVELIHOOD STRATEGY: THE CASE OF SCRAP METAL TRADE IN TEMA-ASHAIMAN METROPOLIS. BY AGBEKA JOSEPH (10507195) THIS THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL GEOGRAPHY AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEGREE. JULY, 2016 DECLARATION Apart from the works of other writers, which have been duly acknowledged, I hereby declare this thesis is my own work towards the attainment of the MPhil and that either in whole or part, has not be accepted elsewhere for another degree. ……………………….. ……………………….. AGBEKA JOSEPH DATE (CANDIDATE) …………………….…………….. ……………………….. PROF MARTIN OTENG-ABABIO DATE (PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR) ……………..…………….. ……………………….. DR. AWERE GYEKYE DATE (CO-SUPERVISOR) i DEDICATION I dedicate this work to God Almighty for the strength and knowledge given. This work is also dedicated to my parents and siblings for their inspiration to see the end of this work. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am grateful to the Almighty God for his Grace, Mercy and Love upon which He has given me the understanding and strength to do all that I have done and seeing me through this work. I express my profound gratitude to my supervisors, Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio and Dr. Awere Gyekye for their guidance, assistance, immense contribution and criticisms which made this thesis possible. My sincere thanks go to my father, Mr George Agbeka, who made it possible to pursue this academic adventure. I also thank Mr. Abubakari Ibrahim of Ministry of Trade and Industry for the relevant information he supported me with. Furthermore, I also appreciate the assistance and services of the Scrap Dealers Association of Tema and Ashaiman which gave me the opportunity to carry out the survey at the scrap yards. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Rueben Yao Donkor and Miss Ellen Antwi for the overwhelming assistance they offered during the data collection. Finally, I thank my family, friends and more especially departmental colleagues for their love, co-operation and support in our quest for knowledge. iii ABSTRACT With the urbanisation of the world's population proceeding apace and the increasing demand for metals putting permanent pressure on natural resources, metals have become a priority area for decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation. This is imperative if cities are to remain relevant in ensuring appropriate levels of supply and reduce the negative environmental footprints in the quest for global green economy. In that perspective, urban mining has been vital and increasingly importantas societies have recognized the need for sustainability. The study was about the informal scrap recycling in the Tema-Ashaiman Metropolis (TAM). The purpose was to examine the importance of scrap recycling as a sustainable livelihood option. This was done by examining the scrap participant‘s chain of activities, their modus operandi and their motives that lead them into the trade. The study also examined the incomes of the scrap metal participants and how secured and reliable are their incomes were. It further examined some environmental and health challenges associated with the informal scrap recycling trade. The study was carried out using qualitative research design and employing semi- structured interview guides, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations. A total of 35 respondents from the TAM took part in the study. The results revealed that using secondary resources through ―urban mining‖ temporarily unlocked the resource embedded in the scrap metals. Additionally, it has become ‗sustainable livelihood opportunities‘ for the urban poor. In that respect, getting all stakeholders on board is crucial in the quest for meeting the increasing metal needs of the future in a sustainable way. Though, a daunting task for policy makers, the study recommends the need to adopt a wide, systemic approach based on understanding the industrial and economic factors driving the recycling industry. Such acknowledge base will allow developing a coherent regulatory framework and powerful incentives for all stakeholders to participate in recycling to guarantee transition to a resource efficient society. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................. i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................ iii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ v LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... x LIST OF PLATES ......................................................................................................... xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 1.0 Background of study ............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Problem Statement ................................................................................................ 6 1.2 Research questions .............................................................................................. 10 1.3 Research objectives ............................................................................................. 10 1.4 Propositions ......................................................................................................... 11 1.5 Research justification .......................................................................................... 11 1.6 Organization of the study .................................................................................... 12 1.7 Summary ............................................................................................................. 13 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 14 LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ............................. 14 2.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 14 2.1 Scrap metal generation ........................................................................................ 14 2.1.1. Type of scrap metal...................................................................................... 16 2.1.1.1 Ferrous scraps......................................................................................... 17 2.1.1.2 Non-ferrous scraps ................................................................................. 17 2.1.2 Reflections of urban mining - scrap metal recycling .................................... 18 2.1.3 Challenges associated with the scrap metal industry .................................... 22 2.1.4 Guidelines for environmentally sound management of scrap industry ........ 24 2.2 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................... 26 2.2.1 Vulnerability Context ................................................................................... 27 v 2.2.2 Livelihood Assets ......................................................................................... 28 2.2.3 Livelihood Strategies .................................................................................... 28 2.3 Livelihood framework‘s significance to the participants involved in the scrap metal recycling industry ............................................................................................ 29 2.4 Summary ............................................................................................................. 31 CHAPTER THREE ....................................................................................................... 33 STUDY AREA AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................. 33 3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 33 3.1 Study area ............................................................................................................ 33 3.2 The historical development of Tema ................................................................... 35 3.3 Population dynamics of Tema ............................................................................. 36 3.4 Tema and the Ghanaian economy ....................................................................... 37 3.5 Ashaiman: the dormitory of informal workers in Tema ...................................... 40 3.6 Research methodology ........................................................................................ 42 3.6.1 Research design ...........................................................................................