ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My greatest and profound gratitude goes to the almighty God for the wisdom and strength
given me to complete this task. I also give great thank you to my parents for their support
and inspiration during this journey.
I really appreciate the work of the lecturers and thank a lot for their recognition that they
have had an influence on my life. Another big thank you goes to senior course mates and my
brother Godwin Amuzu who have been available to help during the making of this project.
Finally, I appreciate the effort of all the residents of Adenta-Sakora. I say thank you and may
God bless you all.

DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to the Almighty God, who has been wondrous and wonderous.
To undertake this project as well as the family that have supported it so far.

ABSTRACT
This report covers the impacts of flooding in the Adenta-Sakora community, the cause and
the potential solutions. This has been achieved through house-to-house interviews,
questionnaires a proper observation. Effect include, but are not limited to, the havoc on
both human and the animal lives and properties.
A conclusion has been drawn that flooding is should not be problematic if appropriate
measures put in place. Such measures include, consideration and modification of drainage
systems to improve flow of runoff during heavy downpour in order to prevent flooding.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2. ABSTRACT

3. INTRODUCTION

4. METHODOLOGY AND MATERIALS

5. RESULTS AND DESCRIPTION

6. FLOODING

7. GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

8. PROSPOSED SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM

9. CONCLUSION
 10. RECOMMENDATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Engineering is a realistic way of using scientific knowledge to solve problems. Engineering in

society is essentially concerned with the detection and resolution of societal issues through
the use of engineering and technology approaches. With modern trend of technological
development across the globe today, it is evident that every day efforts are needed to make
the most of the many benefits and provided by technology through engineering. It offers
young prospective engineers the opportunity to explore problems in the respective
societies, not just to explore but also to recognize problems, to analyse them and, if
possible, to provide solutions. This course also allows students, at an early stage in their
programs of study, to draw a distinction between their chosen area of engineering and how
important it is to social issues.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This helps student gain understanding of the area of life that their field of study can be
applied to and deepen their interest in their field of study. This goes a long way to making
life simpler, more relaxed and much more profitable.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

It is my vision that I should be able to do so at the end of this project;
1. Know the cause of the floods in the community of Adenta.
2. Identify the effects of the floods on the residents and surroundings of Adenta.
3. Display the relation between geological engineering and the problem.
4. Suggest an appropriate approach that can help to put a stop to the problem by
engineering means.

METHODOLOGY
There are many challenges in the Adenta-Sakora community that need a solution. These
include flooding, bad drainage, noise pollution and the like. However, statistics and reports
have shown that flooding is the major worry. With approaches such as house-to-house
interviews, questionnaires, and critical findings in place, the flood was also a major problem
in the community. Houses was visited and interviews were held. During the interviews, the
residents expressed their discomfort about flooding in the neighbourhood, and also stressed
the telling impact that the problem had on their standard of living. In short, a strategic
approach was applied as the appropriate method of gathering information and collecting
data related to the solution to be sought.
 Surveyed Conduct
flood-prone questionnaires
Engineering
areas and interview Analyze data
solution
to acquire
information

Figure 1: steps for solving the problem

DATA ACQUISITION PROCESS

The data obtained in this report was obtained from house-to-house interviews. People who
lived in flood-prone areas were interviewed and their opinions were taken, which led to the
information presented in this report. The materials used to collect the data include a pen
and a book for documenting notes, a computer for data processing, storage and graphics, a
cell phone for taking pictures of the site, a questionnaire and a copy of letter of introduction
given to prove my relevancy.
Besides, numerous searches were made on the internet concerning the situation that crucial
contributions to the project as a whole.

MAP PREPARATION

Google Maps made it easy and accurate to successfully survey the area. The location of a
number of parts of the areas was identified using the Google Earth map.

METHOD USED TO ANALYZE DATA

The method of collecting questionnaires and interviews was used to evaluate data. The data
collected below was obtained from the people who gave their opinion on the
questionnaires. Information pertaining to the issue was tubulated and a pie chart with
regard to the central topic of the questionnaire.

PROBLEMS NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER OF

PERSON FROM PERSONS FROM PERSONS
HOUSE-TO HOUSE QUESTIONNAIRES
INTERVIEWS
POOR DRAINAGE 9 16 22
SYSTEM
FLOODING 12 20 31

POOR ROAD 6 14 9
CONDITION
POOR SANITATION 8 17 25

Table 1: shows the results of problems from several sources

 RESULT AND DISCURSSIONS
Description Of Community
Adenta is small town in the Greater Accra Region’s Adenta Municipal Assembly. The mean
elevation of Adenta is 75M above sea level with an average temperature of 30 degrees
Celsius and 5.71N, 0.15W and 58.00m/190.29ft altitude coordinates. During the May/June
and September/October months, Adenta experiences its rainy seasons associated with
flooding. The languages most widely spoken are Ga, Krobo, Twi and English.
The town is always kept busy due to the various commercial activities that takes place in the
community. Adenta is renowned for housing SSNIT (Social Security and National Insurance)
housing. After Madina, it is situated on the Accra-Aburi highway with an estimated
population of 98,682 people.

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM

Flooding has been a big challenge in the lives of people living in the Ga West District, to be
unique to Adenta-Sakora. Almost every one of us records an increasing number of
occurrences in which floods have cost the inhabitants of the Adenta-Sakora community.
Devastation in the form of loss of valuable lives and destruction of assets, including;
breakdown of electronic gadgets, over floods of rooms that have forced many people to
migrate from their homes during the season, etc.
Because of this, if people see clouds heavy or signal rainfall, they start packing their
belongings to safe places. These have made life in Adenta-Sakora very unpleasant and
caused us a great deal of financial loss in an effort to fight the flood.
Many people have suggested ways to fix the problem, but to no end.
From my personal point of view, the layout of houses and other structures in the
community is very bad.
PIC HERE
This has made it impossible for the rain to flow to the drains and therefore end up collecting
on the lowland and entering homes and schools, causing intense damage. Another
generator of floods in the Adenta-Sakora community is the construction of houses along
water lines. This makes it possible for water to get into homes when there’s heavy
downpour.
PIC HERE
During the interviews, the majority of the people blamed the central government for
ineffective and poorly constructed drainage schemes in the community. According to them,
the gutters overflow into the houses. Dumping of waste into gutters cannot be left out, as it
was the key trigger people pointed out during the interview. This chokes the gutters,
inhibiting the free flow of water hence flooding the area.
PIC HERE.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FLOODING.

I. LOSS OF LIVE AND VALUABLE PROPERTIES; Immediate flood impacts include loss of
human life, damage to property, degradation of crops, loss of livestock, failure to
 operate infrastructure facilities and worsening of health conditions due to
waterborne diseases. In monetary terms, the degree of the damage caused by the
floods depends on the magnitude, depth duration of the floods and the velocity of
the flooded areas.

II. LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD; when connectivity links to utilities such as power plants,
highways and bridges are destroyed and disrupted, economic activities comes to a
standstill, causing normal life to dislocate and dysfunction for a time well beyond
the duration of the floods. Likewise, the direct Impacts on the production assets,
whether in agriculture or in industry, will hinder activity on a regular basis and
contribute to the loss of livelihoods. Also, in nearby non-flooded areas, the spill
over effects of the lost of livelihoods can be felt in business and industrial
activities.

III. MASS MIGRATION; Mass migration or population relocation could be exacerbated

by recurrent flooding, leading to loss of livelihoods, development and other
prolonged economic impacts and forms of misery. Migration to developed urban
areas leads to urban overcrowding. These migrants swell the urban poor’s ranks
and end up living in marginal lands or informal settlements susceptible to flooding
or other hazards.

IV. PSYCHOLSOCIAL EFFECTS; People affected by flood may be traumatized for long
periods by the immense psychosocial effects on flood victims and their families.
The loss of loved ones can have profound effects especially on children. Stress may
be caused by relocation from one’s home, loss of possessions, loss of memorabilia
and livelihoods, reduced protection levels in the aftermath of flooding and
temporarily shelters, and disruption to business and social relations. The burden of
overcoming these deficits can be daunting and produce persistent psychosocial
impacts.

V. HINDERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT; The high cost of relief and
recovery have a negative effect on infrastructure investment and other
development activities in the area and may, in some cases, impede the region’s
fragile economy. Recurrent community flooding may deter long-term investment
by both the government and the private sector. The storage of livelihoods,
coupled with skilled labour migration and inflation, may have detrimental effects
on economic development. Loss of capital, delaying the implementation of its
programs, will lead to high costs of products and services.

VI. POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS; During major flood events, ineffective response and
relief operation frequently contribute to public frustration or lack of confidence in
the authorities or state governments.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT OF FLOODING

Flooding may have a number of direct effects on the habitats and ecosystems within which
it occurs. Some of these effects are beneficial; flooding is a natural biological mechanism
plays an integral role in guaranteeing the flood plain’s biological productivity and diversity.
Other flood effects can be less beneficial and can result in environmental destruction in
some situations. The most severe and difficult to restore environmental damage typically
occurs in developed areas located in the floodplains. The health and well-being of wildlife
and livestock can be directly impacted by flooding, degradation and sedimentation of the
riverbank; nutrient and pollutants disposal; sources of surface and ground water; and
ecological system and habitats.

DIRECT IMPACTS

I. WILDLIFE AND LIVESTOCK WELL-BEING; The health and well-being of wildlife and
livestock can be impaired by flooding. Natural, ranching, and farming ecosystem
can be adversely affected by large amounts of water. Unable to escape to higher
ground, animals will be swept away by flood waters or forced to stand in dirty
water. This can reduce the amount of biodiversity, the potential of ecosystems
and the food available in the environment, thus having a long-term effect on
wildlife survival.

II. DISPOSAL OF NUTRIENTS AND POLLUTION; Debris, contaminants and nutrients

can be found in floodwater. Flood water pollutants, including bacteria and
pesticides, can be transported far away. The growth of algae and phytoplankton
blooms that jeopardize the quality of water can result from sedimentation and
turbidity. Floodwater can also disperse major nutrients and mineral reserves,
resulting in increased plants growth and overall ecosystem. Overtime, fertility
benefits can be provided by the nutrients, organic material and sediments
transported by floodwater and deposited on the landscape.

III. EFFECTS ON LANDSCAPE AND HABITAT; Floods may have damaging effects on
the surface of the earth. Some of these modifications may happen instantly,
whereas others can happen over a long period of time. Washing away land
requires sudden changes caused by flooding. The water may rub against the
rocks; causing the rock to be smoother and eventually wear away altering the
landscape. In the natural environment, however, as floodwater provides the
ecosystem with nourishment, flooding has a beneficial effect on the natural
environment.

IV. RIVERBANK EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION; High and fast flowing water that
exceeds the riverbank causes riverbank erosion. In developed areas, the effect of
riverbank erosion is mostly noticeable. Sediments can serve as a form non-point
water contamination source that can block river beds and streams as well as
reduce reservoir and wetland storage capacity. When flood waters have receded,
flood water may bring large quantities of sediment and leave deposits behind
sedimentation, if severe enough, can degrade water quality and temporarily
impact the supply of urban, industrial and recreational water.
 PRECAUTIONS TO OBSERVED DURING FLOODING
 Stay calm and do not panic.
 Warn neighbours and offer priority to the care of the disabled, children and the
elderly.
 Power, gas and central heating shut off. Shift valuable or fragile artefact and
pollutant materials to the higher level of the strongest sections of the building if
there is ample time.
 Implement the measures planned for the immediate protection of people and the
environment (unbinding and releasing animals from stables).
 If you are needed to leave your home, securely lock it and make your way to the
evacuation zone on foot using the route indicated by the authorities (particularly in
cases of hydraulic dam bursts).
 Take just what is strictly required (emergency luggage, identification and personal
records, medicine) with you.
 On foot or in a truck, do not enter flooded areas. Secure yourself by holding on to
ropes or cables if necessary.

GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Geology is a science of the earth that deals with the solid earth, whose rocks is composed,
and the mechanisms by which over time they alter. The analysis of solid characteristics of
any terrestrial planet or natural satellite such as Mars or the moon can also be used in
geology. Engineering is the application of science to the optimal conversion of nature’s
resources to humanity’s uses.
All in all, geological engineering is the engineering science discipline of applying engineering
concepts as part of the engineering design of facilities like highways, tunnels and mines to
the discipline of geological materials especially in relation to mineral products.
Some see it as a mixture of geology, engineering and material science disciplines, but
although it contains elements of both, it has many specializations that are unfair to the
profession.
In the field of mining, including the fields of mine creation discovery, and operation,
geological engineers are especially valued. Geological engineers evaluate slope stability and
design adjustments for unstable slopes including landslides for mining and civil engineering
projects. Both civil and mining tunnelling ventures include them.

DISCIPLINE UNDER GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

 MINERALOGY: Concerning the empirical study of chemistry, the nature of crystals and
chemistry physical (including optical) properties of minerals and objects that are
mineralized. The processes of mineral origin and formation, the classification of
minerals, their geological distribution, as well as their use are unique studies within
mineralogy.

 GEOPHYSICS: Interested in the earth’s physical processes and physical properties and its
surrounding space environment, and the use for their analysis of quantitative, methods.
Often the term geophysics applies only to geological applications: the shape of the
earth’s; its internal structure and composition; its dynamics and their surface
 manifestation in plate tectonics, magma production, volcanism and rock formation,
gravitational and magnetic fields. However, modern geophysics organizations use a
wider description that includes the water cycle, including snow and ice; ocean and
atmosphere fluid dynamics; ionosphere and magnetosphere energy and magnetism and
solar-terrestrial relationship; and analogous problems associated with the moon and
other planets.

 PETROLOGY: The geological division that studies rocks and the conditions under which
they develop. There are three sub-divisions of petrology: igneous, metamorphic and
sedimentary petrology. Igneous and metamorphic petrology are generally taught
together because chemistry, chemical processes, and phase diagrams all require heavy
use. On the other hand, sedimentary petrology is generally taught along with
stratigraphy because it deals with the processes that make up sedimentary rock.

 SEIMOLOGY: The study of earthquakes and the distribution of elastic waves is based on
via the earth or through other bodies identical to planets. The field also encompasses
studies of environmental impacts of earthquakes, such as tsunamis, and multiple seismic
causes. A linked to a Paleo Seismology is an area that uses geology to infer data about
previous earthquakes.

 HYDROGEOLOGY: The area of geology concerned with the distribution and movement of
groundwater in the soil and rocks of the earth’s crust (usually in aquifers) is hydro-
meaning water, and -geology meaning the analysis of the earth. The term hydrology,
geohydrology, and hydrogeology of groundwater are also used interchangeably. Another
term for hydrogeology is ground water engineering, which is a branch of engineering
dealing with the flow of groundwater and the construction of wells, pumps and drains.

 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY: Structural geology is an aspect of the geology of engineering

concerned with the physical and mechanical properties of stones provides principles for
understanding the deformation of the rock and faults is important for structural geology
because they can form traps in which fluids such as oil and natural gas collect and
concentrate.

 MEDICAL GEOLOGY: The relationship between natural geological factors and their
impact on human and animal health is being studied in an evolving interdisciplinary
scientific field. The study of medical geological deals with the effects of ordinary
environmental influences on the geographical distribution of human and animal health
problems. Exposure to or deficiency of trace elements and minerals; inhalation of
ambient and anthropogenic mineral dust and volcanic emissions; transport alteration
and concentration of organic compounds; and exposure to radionuclides; microbes and
pathogens are studied in medical geology in its broadest context.

 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY: It is an applied science concerned with the practical

application of geological concepts in the resolution of environmental problems. It is a
multidisciplinary field closely linked to the geology of engineering and, to a lesser
degree, to the geography of the environment. The study of human contact with the
geological environment, including the biosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere and,
 to some degree, the atmosphere, include such of these areas. Environmental geology, in
other words, is the use of geological knowledge for dispute resolution, the minimization
of potential adverse environmental destruction or the maximization of possible
beneficial conditions arising from the use of natural and changed habitats.

PROVENTION OF FLOODING

Humans cannot escape the dropping of the rains or stop the flow of surface water. These
are natural phenomena, so in order to avoid them from having great effect, engineering
methods should be implemented. These specifications include;

1. CONSTRUCTING WATER STIRAGE AREAS: To collect and prevent rain water and rivers
from overflowing, defences such as dykes, reservoir and dams should be
constructed. Again, the Environment Protection Agency should establish floodplains
and overflow areas. This will effectively help to conserve and absorb water, while
protecting surrounding cities from the effects of heavy rainfall.

2. CONSTRUCT BUILDINGS ABOVE FLOOD LEVELS: Building elevation involves raising a

building in a position so that the completed living space is above the predicted flood
water height (at least 3ft or 1m). The type of flooding situation must be considered
in order to choose an elevation technique that will withstand the expected water
depths, velocities, debris impacts, and scour (as well as other hazards) in order to
commence this measure.

3. SETTING UP A DEFENSIVE FLOOD BARRIERS: Defensive should be designed to provide

a buffer against flood water as the danger and frequency of flood increases; install
property-level protection over windows and doorways, such as flood boards. In
addition, in flood-prone areas, an underground pipe or tunnel system for the
transport of rainwater from the surface should be constructed to avoid flooding and
its related effects.

4. ACQUIRING PERMISSION BEFORE BUIDING: A great contribution factor to the regular

flooding is also the slamming layout of building in different areas vulnerable to
flooding. It is therefore necessary that builders obtain permission before buildings
are erected. This will guarantee that water routes are not blocked.

5. CONSTRUCTION OF MORE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS: In the Adenta community, there is

also the need for more and bigger drainage systems. This would make it possible for
flowing water to flow through the larger bodies of water quickly and avoid branching
through nearby buildings. Drainages should also not be choked.

6. FLOOD EDUCATION: Waterways are culverts are blocked by large chunks of garbage
and waste when it rains, and water makes its way through the streets and into the
homes of residents. Therefore, it is very important to educate and caution
individuals about the risks of floods, what causes floods, and what can be done to
mitigate their impacts.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion, the problem of flooding in Adenta-Sakora depends on a variety of
factors. The poor drainage system, the poor layout of the community, are some of
these variables. I therefore recommend that the central government, Environmental
Protection Agencies, the District Assembly should implement measures such as the
above mention steps to help remedy the impact of community flooding.