Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

HOUSEHOLDS’ DEPENDENCE ON FUEL WOOD AS A PREFERRED SOURCE OF ENERGY IN THE TAMALE METROPOLITAN AREA OF GHANA: AN APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR

Jamal Mohammed, Anthony Kofi Osei-Fosu and Hadrat Yusif

Abstract

Despite the availability of clean energy (LPG, Electricity) and improvement in incomes, household heads continue to depend on fuel wood as a source of energy. This study sought to assess householdsÂ’ dependence on fuel wood as a preferred energy source through the use of the theory of planned behaviour, along with householdsÂ’ sociodemographic characteristics in the Tamale Metropolitan area. The study was a social survey with quantitative technique in data analysis. Stratified random and purposive sampling techniques were employed along with a structured questionnaire aimed at eliciting information from household heads. The raw data was coded into SPSS IBM version 20 and logistic regression analysis was performed taking into consideration sociodemographic variables and the variables in the theory of planned behaviour model. The major results were that, the sex of respondent, marital status, household size, and subjective norm were major factors which influence household headsÂ’ positively towards dependence on fuel wood as a preferred energy source in the Tamale Metropolitan area. However, education and information influenced household heads negatively towards dependence on fuel wood as a preferred energy source in the Tamale Metropolitan area. The study revealed that, at a lower level of income, households would continue to depend on fuel wood but would switch to a cleaner energy with high level of income. The study recommended that, government through policy formulation should target influencing tradition/ culture and also, continue to provide public education on energy switch patterns for sustainable forestry development.