en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). 'economy-wide' challenge. In addition to air pollution, flooding and public health effects, solid waste contributes to climate change through methane production (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012). This is an indication that the situation is detrimental to sustainable development and human wellbeing. Solid waste includes all wastes generated by humans and animals that is solid and usually seen as useless and often disposed of (Chengula et al., 2015). Waste can be classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable (Mukui, 2013). It is often an urban challenge and catalysed by population increase due to increasing waste generation associated with high population. Improper waste generation leads to a number of health and environmental challenges while there is high environmental pollution at landfill sites. Chengula et al. (2015) described inadequate waste collection as a

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This study analyzed gender differences in climate adaptation by farming households in Ghana. This involved 300 farmers from two districts of Ghana and the data analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed severer climate impacts on the livelihoods of females than males in Ghana. On the contrary, the adaptive capacity of males was found to be higher than that of females. This was supported by the observed differences in gender climate adaptation where both male heads and male household members had higher mean climate adaptations than both female heads and female household members. Overall, the climate adaptation strategies mostly adopted by both males and females include changing planting dates, row planting, planting early maturing and drought tolerant seed varieties, mixed farming, intercropping and refiling of farm plots. Except for zero tillage and intercropping, male farmers had high adoption levels than female farmers. It is concluded that the observed gender adaptation differences were due to the levels and intensity of adoption other than differences in the type of strategies adopted by the different gender groups. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture should consider integrating climate adaptation policies into current agricultural policies such as “planting for food and jobs” policy.

With the growing concerns about the likely implications of climate change, the long term sustainability of conventional agricultural approaches and biodiversity loss have contributed to a growing interest in the potential of the so-called underutilised crops to address food, nutritional, and income security challenges. In support of their wider use, advocates of underutilised crops associate a number of benefits with them. These include agronomic and nutritional benefits such as drought tolerance and micro-nutrient content and the perceived socioeconomic benefits of their wider use. It is widely suggested that the adoption of such crops can generate improved agricultural resilience and support nutrition, food and income security. Simultaneously, the adoption of underutilised crops is seen as a means of conserving biodiversity. However, scientific evidence concerning the use of such crops remains extremely limited. Crucially, little research has been undertaken concerning the contribution of such crops to the welfare of producers. This study investigates the socioeconomic factors characterising the production of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrana (L.) Verdc.) in Northern Ghana and the impact of its production on farmers' welfare. Primary data was collected based on the 2013 farming season, 240 farmers were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A treatment effect model, comprising an adoption and a welfare model was estimated. The probability of adopting Bambara groundnut was found to be greater for: unmarried farmers; farmers in larger households; farmers with little or no formal education; and farmers who had no access to credit. The production of Bambara groundnut led to increased household welfare, as measured by the level of household per capita expenditure/consumption. Results suggest that while further research and support for Bambara groundnut production could contribute to addressing high poverty levels in the region, many of the basic assumptions underlying current advocacy of underutilised crops need rigorous empirical verification.

Considering the increasing demand in the rice industry, the study was undertaken to determine the factors influencing household preference for locally produced rice in the Upper East Region, Ghana. Primary data was obtained from a sample of 180 households with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Probit model and Kendall's coefficient of concordance were used to analyze the data. Significant socioeconomic factors include income, age, sex, and marital status, whereas the quality factors such as the absence of foreign materials, packaging, and aroma were also significant determinants of preference for local rice. The top three traits consumers consider in their choice for local rice were good-looking grains, excellent packaging, and absence of foreign materials in the rice. There was an evidence of an increased preference for quality local rice. Hence, increased investment in the rice value chain, particularly the processing stage where quality standards remain the topmost priority, will help boost consumers' confidence in the local rice market.