Assessing the effectiveness of fire risk communication in the management of fire disaster in the central market of Kumasi, Ghana.
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Date
2018-06
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KNUST
Abstract
Disaster issues have become a serious obstacle to development around the world. Annually, a lot of people‟s livelihoods are affected, properties are destroyed and huge sums of money are lost to various forms of disasters. Africa is noticed to be the most vulnerable continent to disasters and Ghana ranks high among the countries with flood and fire being the most prominent disasters. In the Ashanti Region, however, fire outbreaks have become more frequent and serious, especially in the commercial areas, over the years. Within the capital city, Kumasi Metropolis, for instance, the incidence of fire outbreaks at the various market centres and the central market in particular has recently become phenomenal and at an alarming rate. This study was conducted to generally assess the effectiveness of fire risk communication in the management of fire disasters in the central market of Kumasi. The study was underpinned by pragmatist philosophy which incorporates mixed method for both data collection and analysis; premised on the Social Cognitive Theory and guided by Fire Risk Communication Model. Three hundred and seventy-six (376) respondents were randomly sampled from the various traders‟ associations. Data was then collected from them with the use of structured questionnaire, observation and Focus Group Discussion. Key informants were purposively selected from the government institutions, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the traders‟ associations. Quantitative data were analysed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) method in the
SmartPLS software package whilst qualitative data was analysed thematically after coding. Findings that emerge from the analysis among others are that the drivers for risk communication (i.e. method, medium, types, environment, capacity and collaboration) have positive relationships with fire risk communication by both fire authorities and the traders in the central market of Kumasi; the total fire risk communication in the central market provides a medium contribution to effective fire disaster in the central market but the contribution becomes small when fire risk communication by the authorities and the traders are separated; and the responses of both the traders and authorities to the fire risk communication from each other were adequate. The thesis has contributed to knowledge in areas of model building, methodology and policy framework. It is recommended among others that all the stakeholders for fire disaster management should collaborate and ensure that proper strategies and skills are employed to improve the effectiveness of fire risk communication in the central market of Kumasi.
Description
A Thesis Submitted To The Department Of Geography And Rural Development In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy