UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT

STUDIES
THIRD TRIMESTER FIELD PRACTICAL
PROGRAMME (T.T.F.P)
COMMUNITY PROFILE, PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF DUNGU IN THE TAMALE
METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY

REPORT PREPARED BY GROUP ONE SIXTY-ONE (161)

CO-ORDINATOR; MR GABRIEL ARMAH

TABLE OF CONTENT
PRESENTATION

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

RESEARCH METHODS AND LIMITATIONS

LIST OF TABLE, DIAGRAMS AND MAPS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNIT ONE; PHYSICAL RESOURCE BASE

1.1 LOCATION

1.2 GEOLOGY

1.3 RELIEF

1.4 DRAINAGE

1.5 CLIMATE

1.6 VEGETATION

1.7 SOILS

1.8 IMPLICATIONS OF THE ABOVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY

1.9 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF PHYSICAL RESOURCE BASE

UNIT TWO; DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

2.1 POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICS

2.2 HOUSEHOLD SIZE

2.3 OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

2.4 RELIGION

2.5 ETHNICITY,KINSHIP,VALUES,TABOOS

2.6 PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

2.7 EDUCATIONAL STATUS

2.8HEALTH STATUS TRANSFER TO HEALTH NUTRITION

2.9 HOUSING

2.10 INCOME DISTRIBUTION

2.11 IMPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

2.12 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

UNIT THREE; SOCIO POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

3.1 HISTORICAL ASPECTS

3.2 TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS

3.3 MODERN POLITICAL STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS

3.4 THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MODERN AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION

3.5 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

3.6 DECISION MAKING PROCEDURES

3.7 SOCIAL GROUPS AND LINKAGES

3.8 GENDER RELATIONS IN COMMUNITIES

3.9 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF SOCIO POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES

4.1NATURAL RESOURCES

4.2 TYPES OF CROPS AND LIVESTOCKS

4.3 METHOD OF FARMING

4.4 TYPES OF FARMING SYSTEM

4.5 LAND ACQUISITION AND OWNERSHIP

4.6 WATER AND AGRICULTURE

4.7 PRODUCTIVITY

4.8 FINANCING

4.9 LABOUR

4.1O STORAGE

4.11 MARKETING

4.12 TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF PRODUCTION

4.13 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIES

4.14 FORESTRY RELATED INDUSTRIES

4.15 SMALL SCALE MINING/EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

4.16 PRINCIPAL TECHNOLOGY

4.17 HANDICRAFTS

4.18 FORMAL AND TRADITIONAL SAVINGS AND CREDIT SYSTEMS

4.19 SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES

4.20 OWNERSHIP AND SOURCES OF RAW MATERIALS

4.21 FINANCING

4.22 MARKETING
4.23 STRENGTHS

4.24 SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

4.25 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL

RESOURCES

UNIT FIVE; SPARTIAL ORGANIZATION

5.1 COMMUNITY LAYOUT

5.2 LIST OF SECTION

5.3 POPULATION SETTLEMENT

5.4 SPARTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

5.5 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

5.6 TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

5.7 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

5.8 WATER AND SANITATION

5.9 SOCIAL AMENITIES

5.10 MARKETING

5.11 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF SPARTIAL ORGANIZATION

UNIT SIX; SOCIAL SERVICES

6.1 WATER AND SANITATION

6.2 EDUCATION TRAINING

6.3 HEALTH NUTRITION

6.4 ADULT LITERACY

6.5 TRADITIONAL HEALERS

6.6 TYPES OF MEDICAL HERBS

6.7 CHEMICAL SELLERS

6.8 PRIVATE MATERNITY HOMES

6.9 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF SOCIAL SERVICES

PRESENTATION

This report contains the Community Profile, Problems, Potentials and Recommendations of
Dungu community in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana, compiled and
submitted by group one sixty-one (161) as its first report in the Third Trimester Field Practical
programme (T.T.F.P.P) to the University For Development Studies (UDS).it is the pre-requisite
requirement leading to the attainment of a Bachelor of Science (Bsc) and Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Degree. Below were the members of the group-group 161;

ABDON TONTIE DAVID AGT/3273/08

NYAABA .A. SARAH AGT/3225/08

BOATENG CHARLES IDS/5822/08

BOATENG DAVID IDS/5826/08

BOATENG FRANK IDS/5827/08

BOATRI GABRIEL IDS/5828/08

BOATENG JAMES IDS/5823/08

DOGBEY JUSTICE FAS/2323/08

DOGBE.S. PETER FAS/2322/08

JAKPA JACQUELINE .T FAS/6082/08

GYIMAH FRANCIS IDS/6006/08

PREFACE
This report contains the Community Profile, Problem, Potentials and Recommendations of
Dungu community which is 9.45km from Tamale off the Tamale-Bolgatanga road. It contains a
detailed account of all spheres of life of the people in a concise manner. This is meant to
generate data for further research into developmental problems, solving issues and other
purposes. This report has therefore been categorized into six chapters. The details of the chapters
include; Physical resource base, Socio-demographic characteristics, Socio-political
organizations, Agriculture and Natural resources, spatial organizations and Social services.
In addition, the problems and potentials as well as recommendations were considered at the end
of every unit.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Glory, Honor and Adoration are unto the almighty God, the creator and the sustainer of the
universe for the immeasurable mercies bestowed upon the group throughout the period of the
research programme. It is by his power and intervention that had enabled the group to come out
with success despite the several challenges encountered.

We wish to express our profound gratitude to the acting vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, the
Deans from the various faculties and the entire staff of the university for the tremendous
intellectual help they gave us to make our academic exercise a smooth one. In the same vein we
wish to thank our coordinator Mr. Gabriel Armah whose inspirational moral support enabled us
to be able to come out with this report.

We are also grateful to the chief of Dungu, elders, Assemblyman Mr. Baako Alhassan, unit
committees and the community at large for the hospitality shown to us.
Many thanks also go to the P.T.A Chairman, Unit Committee Chairman, and the Achiri of
Dungu and all individuals who in diverse ways assisted us during the course of the programme.
 INTRODUCTION
The Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (T.T.F.P.P) is a vital feature of the academic
curriculum of the University for Development Studies. This component draws its justification
from the provisional National Defense Council Law (PNDCL) 279 (1992) which gives the
University the right to blend academic work with that of the community by using multi-
disciplinary approach to problem solving in the field of study for the development of Northern
Ghana and the country as a whole.
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The program is divided into two sections, year one and year two. Year one objectives entails the
community profile and the revelation of the profile. That is, how the socio institutions relate to
one another and the problems and potentials of the community.
Year two covers the aspect of giving interventions to the problems indentified earlier in year one.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The general objectives of the integrated concept of the Third Trimester Field Practical
Programme include;
• Helping students to develop favourable attitude towards working in rural Ghanaian
communities.
• Exposing students practically to the nature of developmental problems in Northern Ghana
and the nation as a whole.
• Providing useful services to rural Ghanaian communities through the exchange of
knowledge and its application to address the felt needs and aspirations of these
communities
• Generating data for further research into problem solving and developmental issues.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 • Equip students with the basic tools, techniques and skills required for community study
• To introduce students to community studies through living and working in rural
communities.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

In helping to facilitate our research works, the group employed the following research methods
and techniques to obtain the community profile, problems and potentials.

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY

In order to obtain a fair knowledge and first hand information of the communities’ layout, the
group undertook a reconnaissance survey of the community

OBSERVATION

Information relating to water and sanitation, behavior pattern, geology, gender relation and
drainage system were obtained through observation

TRANSECT WALK

In order to have a fair knowledge about spatial distribution in the community, the group took a
transect walk through the community with the help of a key informant

PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

A well composed questionnaire was used to obtain information specifically on socio-

demographic characteristics, economic activities, traditional and modern administration.

FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION

Farmers group, opinion leaders, youth associations, women groups were met to discuss the
prospects and challenges of the community.

SAMPLING METHOD

A sample size of 20 and 50 households out of the total 92 households was used to determine the
income, occupational distribution, problems, and potentials.

RESEARCH LIMITATION

The following are the hindrances that the group faced in attempt to obtain relevant information
for the research work

SEASONS

The group faced the problem of getting certain information from the people at the appropriate
time since the season was favorable for farming activities.

LANGUAGE BARRIER

There was language barrier between the group and the natives of the community

PRODUCTIVITY

Information relating to productivity was quite difficult because farmers did not keep records of
their produce.

FINANCE

In our quest to obtain information relating to secondary data, the group faced financial
challenges
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report contains the research findings obtain in the Dungu community through group 161
students of U.D.S and their Third Trimester Field Practical Program (T.T.F.P.P) The report lay
emphasis on the objectives of the research methods and tools adopted through to the sixth
chapter and in addition the seventh chapter covering the problem tree and SWOT analysis.

Chapter one deals with physical resource base which includes the location and drainage, climate
vegetation, soil and the problems and potentials relating to the physical and resource base

Chapter two and three deals with the socio- demographic and socio-political organizational
issues as well as their problems and potentials.

Chapter four unveils the economic activities in the community which includes agriculture and
small scale industries and the problems and potentials associated with them.

Also issues relating to education, technical infrastructure and other spatial organization are well
spelt out in the fifth unit together with the problems and potential.

The sixth chapter deals with social services which include health and nutrition, education and
training as well as problems and potentials associated with the social services.

Lastly, information on key development issues, problem tree analysis and SWOT analysis are
unveiled in chapter seven.
The report seeks to discover all aspect of life, development, problems and potentials of Dungu
community for future interventions and developments either by governmental agencies or non-
governmental agencies and other interested stake holders.

UNIT ONE

PHYSICAL RESOURCE BASE

1.1 LOCATION

Dungu is located in the Tamale metropolis in the northern region of Ghana. It is found at the
northern part of tamale and it’s about 9.45km from tamale off the Bolgatanga road. It is within
latitude 9˚28”60N and longitude 0˚51”0W.

Dungu is bordered by Nyeshiee to its north, Zagyuri to its south, Sakpaligu to its east and
Sugashie to its west.

(GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009, INTERNET)

1.2 GEOLOGY

The main rocks found in the Dungu community are sedimentary rocks (sandstone) with few
deposits of igneous rocks (granite).

(SOUCE: GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

1.3 RELIEF
 Dungu lies not more than 500 feet below sea level. The community has an undulating terrain
(hilly and flat and its slope is gentle.

(SOURCE: SURVEY DEPT. GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

1.4 DRAINAGE

The community can boast of two dams, one is located at the northern part of the community and
the other at the southern part of the community. These dams serve as supplement water for
domestic uses for the community. It is also sometimes used by the farmers for the irrigation of
their farm crops.

(GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

1.5 CLIMATE

TAMALE MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL (mm)

YEARS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
2001 0.0 0.0 0.0 131.4 78.0 95.9 167.0 121.1 182.0 15.5 0.0 0.0
2002 0.0 0.0 2.0 92.5 122.6 122.3 104.5 266.6 79.8 131.3 0.9 0.0
2003 17.5 10.4 40.6 123.5 151.0 206.7 150.0 289.0 215.3 69.8 15.5 0.0
2004 14.5 0.8 34.1 67.2 133.2 147.0 209.3 264.8 149.1 33.9 48.1 0.0
2005 0.2 14.2 69.9 138.5 81.2 109.1 340.2 88.1 190.7 69.5 0.0 40.9

MEAN MONTHLY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE (˚C)

YEARS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
2001 35.6 37.5 39.3 36.4 34.1 32.5 30.7 29.8 30.8 35.2 37.2 37.4
2002 35.3 38.5 39.6 37.3 35.6 32.8 31.0 29.8 31.3 33.6 36.7 36.3
2003 36.9 39.2 39.0 35.3 34.5 30.6 30.8 30.4 31.6 34.1 36.4 36.1
2004 36.3 37.7 37.5 36.4 33.4 30.7 29.5 29.9 30.7 34.9 36.5 36.8
2005 34.8 38.7 38.3 36.4 34.3 32.0 30.3 30.2 31.4 33.6 36.7 36.4
 MEAN MONTHLY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE (˚C)

YEARS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
2001 18.0 20.8 26.2 26.1 25.0 23.9 23.4 23.0 22.5 23.4 22.8 20.0
2002 19.8 21.5 27.3 26.8 25.6 24.0 23.6 22.7 22.7 22.9 21.8 19.3
2003 19.5 24.3 25.8 25.6 25.0 23.3 23.2 23.1 22.9 23.6 22.3 19.7
2004 20.5 23.7 25.7 26.0 25.1 22.7 22.8 22.5 22.0 23.0 22.4 21.7
2005 19.6 25.3 26.7 26.4 24.9. 23.9 23.1 23.1 22.9 22.6 21.6 20.1

MEAN MONTHLY RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) AT 0600 HRS

YEARS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
2001 31 28 58 78 85 89 93 94 96 90 77 44
2002 31 35 61 75 82 89 93 94 94 93 81 53
2003 37 53 47 80 84 93 93 95 94 93 85 56
2004 41 36 53 80 86 91 94 96 95 92 87 76
2005 39 49 72 77 85 91 94 94 95 93 86 65

High temperatures are experience all year round but exhibit wide variations between day and
night. Between November and February, maximum day temperatures can reach 36.6˚c to 39.2˚c
and minimum night temperatures vary between 21.6˚c and 25.3˚c (From the table). The greatest
among of sun shine occurs in the period from November to February for about 8.5 hrs a day,
whilst the lowers is in July and reaches only about 4hrs a day. The relative humidity of the area
varies from 91% to 96% during the month of June to September and then gradually decreases to
a low relative humidity of about 10 t0 16% in January and in the dry season (From the table

The annual distribution of rainfall is uni-modal in the community. The study area is
characterized by distinct climate conditions such one rainy season per year. It builds up gradually
from small rains in March/April to a maximum in August and the declines sharply, coming to a
complete stop in mid November.

(SOURCE: METEOROLOGICAL DEPT.)

1.6 VEGETATION

The vegetation of the community lies under the savannah zone in Ghana it is characterized by
short grasses and trees which includes Kapok, baobab, sheanut, mango with neem tree being the
dominant tree species in their community

(SOURCE: GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

1.7 SOIL

Pre-dominant over all soil type is sand; however clay, loamy, sandy-loam and deposits of gravel
can be found in some part of the community.

1.8 IMPLICATIONS OF THE ABOVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

COMMUNITY

• The sedimentary rocks in the community are good for constructional purposes.

• Due to the sloppy nature of the land in some part of the community it makes the low-
lying areas water logged which are good for rice cultivation.

• Digging a bore -hole is a problem due to the rocky nature of the land.

• The savannah nature of the land is suitable for rearing of livestock and growing of certain
crops such as maize, millet, guinea-corn, groundnuts etc.

• Due to the location of the community accessibility to government developmental projects

would be easy.
1.9 PPROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS FOR PHYSICAL RESOURCE BASE

PROBLEMS

• Severe water shortages

• Inadequate infrastructure

• Rampant erosion and bush fires

• Lack of drainage system

POTENTIALS

• Vast land for agricultural purposes

• Presence of sedimentary rocks for constructional purposes

• Presence of raw materials for rural industries

• Fertile lands

• Grasses for animal feed

RECOMMENDATION

• Provision of infrastructure for the community.

 • Cover crops should be grown to check erosion and leaching of the soil nutrients.

UNIT 2

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

2.1 POPULATION, SIZE DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICS

2.11 POPULATION SIZE

The 2000 population census conducted by the Ghana statistical services revealed that the total
population of Dungu was 703.However, a total of 901 people were recorded in the June 2009
field survey by group one sixty one (161).

2.12 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICS

A TABLE SHOWING THE AGE DISTRIBUTION IN THE COMMUNITY

AGE (YEARS) NO OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGES (%)
0 -17 366 40.6
18-59 480 53.3
60+ 55 6.1
TOTAL 901 100

POPULATION PYRAMID

6.1% 60+ (Years)

 40.6% 0 – 17 (Years)

53.3% 18 – 59 (Years)

Legend

60 +years

10 – 17
years

18 – 59 years

Dependency ratio=366(0-17yrs) +55(60+yrs)

= 480(working class)

= 421

480

Dependency Ratio = 0.88

Dependency Rate = (0-17) + (60+) ×100

Total population

366+55×100

901

421×100

901

Dependency Rate = 46.7%

A TABLE SHOWING THE SEX DISTRIBUTION OF THE COMMUNITY

SEX NO.OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGE (%) DEGREES

(˚)
MALE 444 49.3 177.5
FEMALE 457 50.7 182.5
TOTAL 901 100 360
 (SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY)

A PIE CHART SHOWING SEX DISTRIBUTION OF THE COMMUNITY

Females

Males

THE TABLE BELOW SHOWS THE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION FOR 2000

AND 2009
SEX 2000 2009
MALES 358 444
FEMALES 345 457
TOTAL 703 901
(SOURCE; FIELD SURVEY)

Population Increase = Change In Population

= 901- 703

Population Increase = 198

Percentage Increase in Population = Change In Population ×100

2000 Census Population

= 198 × 100

703

= 28.2%

Annual rate of increase = 28.2

From the calculation above, the population of Dungu increases at the rate of 3.1%
2.2 HOUSEHOLD SIZE

There are a total of 92 houses in the Dungu community with a population of 901. This indicates
that there are approximately 10 persons in a household. Mathematically;

Total Population = 901

No. of houses = 92

Household size = 901

92

= 9.8≈10 persons

2.3 OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

With the statistics below, majority of the people in Dungu are farmers.

OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONAL TABLE

OCCUPATION NO. OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGE (%)

FARMERS 119 37.5
TRADERS 113 35.6
CIVIL SERVANTS 16 5.1
SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY 69 21.8
TOTAL 317 100

A BAR CHART SHOWING THE OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION IN THE

COMMUNITY
 120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Farmers Traders Civil Servants Small Scale
Industry

Fig 1c

2.4 RELIGION

The various religions practiced in the Dungu are Islamic, Christianity and African Traditional
Religion. The most dominating of all the three religions practiced in the community is the
Islamic religion. The other two religions are practiced by settlers and few of the indigenous
people.

BELOW IS A TABLE SHOWING THE RELIGIOUS DISTRIBUTION

RELIGION NO. OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGE (%) DEGREES (˚)

CHRISTIANITY 28 3.1 11.2
ISLAMIC 870 96.6 347.6
AFRICAN 3 0.3 1.2
TRADITION
TOTAL 901 100 360

A PIE CHART SHOWING THE RELIGIOUS DISTRIBUTION OF THE

COMMUNITY

CHRISTIANITY
 ATR

ISLAM

2.5 ETHNICITY, KINSHIP, VALUES, TABOOS

2.5.1 ETHNICITY

There are many tribes in Dungu community namely; Dagombas, Akans, Builsa, and Gurma. The most
predominant ethnic group among them is the Dagombas.

BELOW IS A TABLE SHOWING THE ETHNIC GROUP DISTRIBUTION IN

DUNGU COMMUNITY

TRIBE NO. OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGE (%)

DAGOMBAS 879 97.56
AKANS 3 0.33
BUILSA 5 0.55
GURMAA 7 0.77
KUSASI 7 0.77
TOTAL 901 100
(SOURCE; GROUP SURVEY, 2009)

2.5.2 KINSHIP
The natives of Dungu trace their kinship through patrilineal descent. The dominant family
system in the community is the extended family system where the ties between members of the
family are very strong. Polygyny is highly practiced in the community but it is mostly based on
the financial status of the man.

2.5.3 VALUES

To ensure peace and sanity in the community, the people of the community (Dungu) have the
following values;

• Provide good hospitality towards strangers

• Respect for the elderly ones

• They see greetings as a strong means of building good relationship between one
another.

• Decent dressing is also adored in the community, those who dress well are
believed to have a strong moral background and those who dress indecently are
morally weak.

• Hard working people are well respected.

• Marriage which has undergone the necessary procedures in the right way is highly
adored

2.5.4 TABOOS

Since the absence of taboos would lead to chaos and anarchy, the community has some set of
taboos which regulates the behavior of the people. The taboos include;

• The aged do not go to the farm on Mondays and Fridays

• No whistling in the night

• One is not allowed to have sex openly

• It is a taboo to have an affair with a married woman or man

2.6 PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

The ways of estimating the wealth of a person in the community is the number of livestock and
farmlands in ones’ possession. The chief owns all the community lands, but individuals in the
community acquire land for farming and for other purposes by seeking permission from the
chief.

(SOURCE; FROM KEY INFORMANT)

2.7 EDUCATIONAL STATUS

Below is a table representing the educational status of Dungu from the 92 households visited,
from the group survey it was revealed that about 64 children were below school going age,
representing 7.1% of the total population.

BELOW IS A TABLE SHOWING THE EDUCATIONAL DISTRIBUTION IN

THE COMMUNITY

EDUCATIONAL STATUS NO. OF PEOPLE PERCENTAGES (%)

K.G 58 6.44
PRIMARY 188 20.87
J.H.S 71 7.89
S.H.S 34 3.77
TERTIARY/ VOC 8 0.89
BELOW SCH.GOING AGE 64 7.10
ILLITERATES 478 53.05
TOTAL 901 100
(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

A BAR CHART SHOWING THE EDUCATIONAL STATUS IN DUNGU

 500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
BELOW ILLITERAT
K.G PRIMARY J.H.S S.H.S TERTIARY
SCH. AGE E

FIGURES 70 180 80 40 20 70 470

Literacy Rate = 58+188+71+34+8

= 359

= 359 × 100

901

Literacy Rate = 39.8%

Illiteracy Rate = 478 + 64

= 542

= 542 × 100

901

Illiteracy Rate = 60.2%

2.8 HEALTH STATUS

The people of Dungu have no health centre or clinic in the community. Inhabitants resort to
nearby clinics in Tamale (Kamina) which is about 2.5 km away from the community. However,
there is one licensed chemical seller and four Traditional Birth Attendant (T.B.A). There are also
four herbalists in the community, and they cure sicknesses like malaria, diarrhoea, severe
headaches and the likes.

2.9 HOUSING

The buildings found in the community are mostly round mud houses roofed with thatch. There
are few houses built with blocks and cement.

2.10 INCOME DISTRIBUTION

From the field survey, 20 households were sampled to determine their sources of income.
Generally, it was discovered that sources of income was derived from the sale of agriculture
produce, salaries, small scale industry and trading

BELOW IS THE TABLE SHOWING THE INCOME DISTRIBUTION OF THE

20 SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS

OCCUPATIO INCOME % % COMMUNI % COMMUNI

N PER INCO INCOME TY % QUANTILE TY
ANNUM ME IN INCOME IN OF QUANTILE
GHC PER QUANTI QUANTILE HOUSEHOL HOUSEHOL
ANN LE DS D INCOME
UM
FARMER 190.00 1.10
FARMER 225.00 1.40
FARMER 580.00 3.50
FARMER 365.00 2.20 8.20 8.20 20 20
FARMER 350.00 2.10
TRADER 420.00 2.50
TRADER 210.00 1.30
S.S INDUS. 720.00 4.30 10.20 18.40 20 40
TRADER 144.00 0.90
TRADER 600.00 3.60
FARMER 1950.00 11.70
FARMER 1250.00 7.50 23.70 42.10 20 60
S.S INDUS 24.00 0.10
S.S INDUS 120.00 0.70
TEACHER 2160.00 13.00
TEACHER 2160.00 13.00 26.80 68.90 20 80
DRESSMAK 700.00 4.20
ER
S.S INDUS 864.00 5.20
CHEM.SELL 3100.00 18.60
ER
FARMER 500.00 3.00 31.10 100.00 20 100
TOTAL 16,632.00

Poverty line = Total annual income

Household sampled

= GHC 16,632

20

= GHC 831.60

Considering GHC 831.60 as the poverty line, households below poverty line can be determined
by;

= Total households’ × no. of households below poverty line

Household sampled

= 92 × 14

20

= 64 households
Based on this, it can be seen that out of the total number of households (92), 64 households live
below the poverty line. This is an indication that only 28 households are living above the poverty
line.

Poverty Gap = Total household × no. of sample below poverty line

Household sampled

= 92 × 5148

20

Poverty Gap = GHC 23,680.80

Total Annual Income = Total household × Total income of household

Household sample

= 92 × 16,632

20

= GHC 76,507.20

Per capital income = Total Annual Income

Total population

= GHC 84.90

2.11 IMPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

• Information regarding the population of the community will help government,

NGOs’ and other stakeholders in allocating resources for development project
such as boreholes, clinic and e.t.c

• The per capital income is a good measure to determine the standard of living of
the people.
 • Occupational distribution helps investors and other stakeholders to ascertain the
human resource base of the community.

• Due to the high percentage of illiterates, it is quite difficult for them to understand
development issues.

• The existence of taboos ensures peace and regulates the behavior of the people.

• Owing to poor income distribution, most parents find it difficult to cater for the
educational and health needs, leading to poor enrollment and malnutrition.

2.12 PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

PROBLEMS

• Low quality of building materials

• Disproportionate increase in the population relative to social amenities

• High illiteracy

POTENTIALS

• Availability of local building materials such as thatch, cow dung, mud and trees.

• Taboos help to check social vices

• Availability of herbs

• High labour force as a result of growing population

• Crop and animal rearing serves as a source of income

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Provision of rural industries by the government

• Farm inputs should be subsidized to make them affordable

• Rural industries should be encouraged and supported financially

• Building materials should be subsidized to make the people in the community

have access to modern building materials

• Family planning campaign should be intensified to check the rapid population

growth
 UNIT THREE (3)

SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION

3.1 HISTORICAL ASPECT

Dungu is a small village located at the northern part of Tamale along the Bolgatanga road. The
first settlers were at Nantong, A war broke out between the people of Nantong Zorgu. The people
of Zorgu defeated the people of Nantong. The rest of the survivors fled and settled southwards
from Nantong around aviation land. They were later forced by the then government of Ghana
around 1950 to leave and settle at the eastern side which is presently Dungu. After settling and
realizing there was no more struggle for land, they named the place “Dungu” meaning there is
“no more war”.

(SOURCE: KEY INFORMANT)

3.2 TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM

The traditional political system in the community is highly structured with the chief having the
highest authority. Below is hierarchy of authority in the traditional political system of
administration.

Dungu- Naa

Sakpala-Naa

Kukuo-Naa

Zoo-Naa

Dohi-Naa

Tuu-Naa

Community members
3.3 MODERN POLITICAL STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

Dungu is a community under the Tamale metropolitan Assembly which is the modern political
system established at the local level. Dungu enjoys the decentralized policy of the modern
government.

Below is the flow of leadership in the modern political system from the highest authority to the
lowest.

Metropolitan assembly

Area council

Assembly person

Unit committee

Community members

3.3.1 FUNCTIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY

• It serves as a link between the people in the district and the regional co-
coordinating council.

• It represents the government in the metropolis.

• It implements government policies at the district and ensures grass root

democracy.

• It makes by-laws to govern the people at the district level.

3.3.2 AREA COUNCIL

• It serves as a link between the people in the community and the district level.
 • I t organizes the people within the community for undertaking development
projects on their own.

• It serves as a mouthpiece for the community.

3.3.3 ASSEMBLY PERSON

• He represents the people in the decision making process at the local level.

• His co-ordinates the affairs of the community.

• He monitors government projects in the community.

• He settles political disputes within his jurisdiction

3.3.4 UNIT COMMITTEE

• They assist the area council to function effectively.

• They organize communal labour and ensure environment cleanliness.

• They help to disseminate information and carry common problems to the

assembly.

3.3.5 COMMUNITY MEMBERS

• They are supposed to obey rules and regulations in the community and the country
as a whole.

• They are to partake in communal labour.

• They are supposed to protect community properties.

(SOURCE: METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY, KEY INFORMANT)

3.4 INTERRELATION BETWEEN THE MODERN AND THE TRADITIONAL

INSTITUTIONS.

Research findings reveal that there is a mutual relationship between the modern and traditional
system. For effective decision to be taken there is always a constant consultation and deliberation
between the two systems. Similarly, when developmental initiative and projects are to be carried
out by the government or district assembly, the permission of the chief is soughed first.
Meanwhile, customary decisions are the sole responsibility of the traditional leaders.

3.5 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Traditional Modern
Chief Metropolitan Assembly

Linguist Area Council chairman

Elders Area council secretary

Village crier Assembly man

Family heads Unit committee

People
In the modern political system, information flows from the metropolitan assembly to the area
council chairman to the assembly man, to the unit committee chairman and finally to the masses.
Traditionally, information is carried from the chief to the council of elders, to the chief
messenger and to the people through the village crier. “Gong-gong” is used occasionally to
deliver important information alongside gunshots.

(SOURCE: KEY INFORMANT, GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

3.6 DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

The chief, elders, opinion leaders and area council representatives take decision in the
community. Women are generally not involved in decision making except issues relating to
them. At an area council meeting, decisions are taken for the community by the unit committee
members and at the family level, the family heads take decisions. The chief communicates the
outcomes of these decisions.

(SOURCE: KEY INFORMANT)

3.7 SOCIAL GROUPS AND LINKAGES

The various social groups in the community include the following;

• Tunteeiya association

• Tiyumtaba social club

• Wozooya social club

• Suglo Nboribini

• Gukpegu Dungu Women sheabutter processing

• Farmers association
 • Media group association

3.8 GENDER RELATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY

There is mutual respect between the men and the women in the community. Women are
allowed to choose their own spouse unlike in the olden days where they are forcefully given out
for marriage.

3.9 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION.

PROBLEMS.
• Women are less involved in decision making process.

• There is one assembly man for five community including Dungu. This makes it difficult
for effective delivery of government policies and programmes.

• The presence of bureaucracy slows down development.

POTENTIALS
• Any qualified person has the chance to represent the people.

• There is understanding between the modern political system and the people.

• There is absence of autocratic rule since natives are involved in decision making

RECOMMENDATIONS
• The people should be educated on the need to involve women in decision making.

• Women should be given the chance to occupy leadership positions.

• There should be an assembly man in charge of Dungu only to ensure effective

implementation of government policies and projects.
 UNIT FOUR

4.0.1 AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Agriculture simply means the production of crops and the rearing of farm animals for human
consumption. The sustainability of the community depends on the output of agriculture and other
economic activities. Most of the people in the community are peasant farmers. They only sell out
during bumper harvest. Very few people are into commercial farming where the farm produce
are purposely for sale. They people engage in livestock rearing, crop production and poultry
farming. The abundant natural resources are land and savannah grassland.

4.0.2 TYPES OF CROPS AND LIVESTOCK

A survey conducted shows that, the major crops cultivated are maize, millet, guinea corn,
groundnuts, cassava, yam, pepper, tomatoes, Okro, sheanuts, mango, cashew e.t.c.

BELOW IS A TABLE SHOWING TYPES OF CROPS

TYPES CROPS
ROOTS AND TUBER YAM, CASSAVA
CEREALS AND GRAINS MAIZE, MILLET,GUINEA CORN, RICE
VEGETABLES PEPPER, TOMATOES, OKRO
CASH CROPS CASHEW

LIVESTOCK
RUMINANT NON-RUMINANT
GOATS GUINEA FOWLS
SHEEP PIGEON FOWL
COWS DUCKS
(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

BELOW IS A TABLE ILLUSTRATING THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIVESTOCK

IN DUNGU
ANIMALS NUMBERS PERCENTAGE DEGREE
GOATS 822 30.6 110.2
SHEEP 558 20.77 74.8
COW 113 4.21 15.2
DUCK 155 5.77 20.8
PIGEON 203 7.56 27.2
GUINEA FOWL 605 22.52 81.0
FOWL 230 8.56 30.8
TOTAL 2,686 100 360

THE FOLLOWING IS A BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF

LIVESTOCK IN THE COMMUNITY

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
GUINEA
GOATS SHEEP COW DUCK PIGEON FOWL
FOWL

PERCENTAGES 30.6 20.77 4.21 5.77 7.56 22.52 8.56

4.0.3 METHOD OF FARMING

There are two methods of farming, the modern and indigenous methods. The indigenous method
is a method of farming whereby simple farm tools like cutlasses, hoes, sickles, and axes are used
for farming whilst in the modern method of farming, farm machineries and insecticides are used.
The people of the community practice both methods, but practice the indigenous more often than
the modern method because of financial constraint.

4.0.4 TYPES OF FARMING SYSTEMS

The main farming systems practiced in the community are; mixed farming and mixed cropping,
however some practice crop rotation to keep the fertility of the land. The farmers also rear
animals under extensive and semi-intensive system, under the extensive system; the animals are
allowed to find their own feed. In the semi-intensive system, animals are kept in structures and
fed and released later to find their own feed to supplement what they have been fed with. They
are provided with shelter too.

4.0.5 LAND ACQUISITION AND OWNERSHIP

In Dungu, land is acquired mainly through inheritance but in some cases land is purchased. The
chief of the community owns all the land in the community.

4.0.6 WATER AND AGRICULTURE

Agricultural activities in the community mainly rely on rainfall. The rain starts in march/April
and ends in late October each year. There are also two dams in the community used for domestic
purposes.

4.0.7 PRODUCTIVITY

Most of the people in the community engage in subsistence agriculture whereby food crops are
grown with the main purpose of feeding their family with the use of simple farm tools like
cutlasses, hoe, sickles, and axe for their farming activities. However, a few farmers engage in
commercial farming which is purposely for sale. Since the soil of the farmland is constantly
cultivated without proper maintenance, the soil loses its fertility and hence low productivity,
unless the farmers resort to organic manure or fertilizers to enrich the soil. During the group
interaction with the farmers, it was revealed that productivity was very low as a result of the
following factors below;

• High cost of farm inputs such as fertilizers

• Fluctuating rainfall or irregular rainfall pattern

• Diseases and pests attack of crops

• Livestock production is very low due to the free-range system of keeping animals

4.0.8 FINANCING

From the group interview with the farmers, it was realized that the farmers do not have access to
external funding to finance their production. They therefore finance their production through
personal savings and

The sales from their farm produce.

4.0.9 LABOUR

The main source of labour for the agriculture in the community is mostly by family members.
They also hire casual labourers during land preparation, planting, cultivation and harvesting.

4.0.10 STORAGE

Farmers in the community store their produce through the following means;

STORAGE OF YAM

• Burying and covering them with green leaves

• Store in hatchers or barns.

STORAGE OF CEREALS

• They are put in sacks and stored in their rooms or store rooms

4.0.11 MARKETING

MARKETING PROBLEMS

The main marketing challenges facing farmers are as follows;

• High cost of transportation to the market centre

• Low prices during bumper harvest

• Customers buying on credit basis

• Price fluctuation

• Lack of ready market for perishable goods such as tomatoes and pepper

• Prices being determined by customers

4.0.12 TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF PRODUCTION

The tools used for farming in the community include; hoes, cutlasses, sickle, plough, tractors
e.t.c

Most farmers stick to the outmoded methods where they use simple farm tools instead of modern
equipment.

4.2 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIES

4.3 FORESTRY RELATED INDUSTRIES

Very few numbers of the people are engaged in forestry related agro-based industries. These
include;

• Charcoal burning

• Carpentry

4.4 SMALL SCALE MINNING/ EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

As a supplement to agric, Dungu has a whole lot of sheanuts. The nuts are used in the sheabutter
extraction for home consumption and for sale.

PROCESSES INVOLVED IN SHEABUTTER EXTRACTION IS AS FOLLOWS

• The sheanuts are parboiled, dried, unshelled and grinded into pieces

• The pieces are then fried (dry frying)

• The fried pieces are grinded into paste

 • The paste is mixed with coldwater at a proportional ratio and beaten with the hands until
the butter appears

• The butter floats as more water is added and separated from the chaff

• The butter is collected, rinsed several times and heated into liquid substance

• The oil is then collected and stored in containers

4.4.1 SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES

SHEABUTTER EXTRACTION

Boiling of sheanuts Chemical change

Unshelling Physical change

Grinding Chemical change

Oil formation Chemical change

4.4.2 OWNERSHIP AND SOURCES OF RAW MATERIALS

In terms of ownership, sheabutter extraction industries are owned privately by individuals

The raw material for sheabutter production is sheanut which is obtained from their individual
farms.

FINANCING

The source of finance for sheabutter production is from personal income and support from
relatives.

MARKETING

• Savannah Fruit Company Limited does purchase the sheabutter direct from the
producers.
 • They also sell some in the market.

STRENGTHS

• From the group field survey, it was revealed that raw materials are available for the
sheabutter industry.

• There is the availability of labour for both farming and sheabutter production

PROBLEMS

• Lack of protective wears exposes them to high risks of skin burns and other related
accidents since they are always exposed to fire.

• Indiscriminate felling of trees to be used as fuel leads to environmental degradation.

• Inadequate credit facilities to expand the industry

• The sheabutter is sometimes purchased on credit bases.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

• They should resort to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in order to avoid indiscriminate
felling of trees

• Protective clothing should be worn to reduce the risk of burning and heat
accumulation.

4.5 PRINCIPAL TECHNOLOGY

4.6 HANDICRAFTS

During the research, the group found out that the major handicraft engaged in by the people in
the community is thatch weaving.

4.7 FORMAL AND TRADITIONAL SAVINGS AND CREDIT SYSTEMS

There is no banking facilities or an established bank in Dungu; however there is a credit union
system known as “BONZALI” credit union found in the community. Few people also save their
money in the bank at Tamale whiles the others save their money in their homes.

PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL

RESOURCES

PROBLEMS

• No records of farm produce and livestock

• High cost of farm inputs

• Poor market for their farm produce

• Dams in the community are polluted

POTENTIALS

• Availability of raw materials for local industries

• Availability of herbs and grasses for medicinal purposes

• Vast land for agricultural activities

• Availability of dams in the community

 • Availability of fertile soil for farming

• Presence of organic manure from farm animals

RECOMMENDATION

• There should be effective formation of co-operatives by farmers

• Credit facilities should be present to help the farmers and

sheabutter producers finance their farms and industries

• Provision of storage facilities for their produce

 UNIT FIVE

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

5.1 COMMUNITY LAYOUT

The community lies along a first class road with one main settlement pattern, namely and
nucleated. There are 92 houses in the community. The total population is 901 people upon the
survey conducted. Dungu is a Muslim dominated with few Christians. There is only one primary
school and junior high school and five (5) standing pipes in the community and a technical
institute. The community is also having four (4) mosques with no chapel.

5.2 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

There are nine (9) classroom blocks with two offices (one for primary and other for junior high
school) and two storerooms. There are also inadequate ventilation channels and no lightening
system. Tables and chairs are also available. The nursery has no classroom block; they use a
building which belongs to Dungu nutritional centre. The school also lacks a library, inadequate
text books and latrine facilities.
BELOW IS A TABLE SHOWING ENROLMENT OF PUPILS IN DUNGU
ANGLICAN PRIMARY AND J.H.S SCHOOL FOR 2005/2006, 2006/2007 AND
2007/2008 ACADEMIC YEAR.

2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

CLASS BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL
NURSERY 37 70 107 42 61 103 38 62 100
PRIM 1 38 27 65 33 13 46 23 29 52
PRIM 2 24 12 36 41 28 69 37 18 55
PRIM 3 19 11 30 25 12 37 41 26 67
PRIM 4 20 10 30 21 12 33 38 12 50
PRIM 5 22 9 31 23 11 34 23 14 37
PRIM 6 21 8 29 16 7 23 20 09 29
J.H.S 1 21 7 28 28 12 40 20 11 31
J.H.S 2 32 14 46 23 7 30 28 10 38
J.H.S 3 23 10 33 31 15 46 31 15 46
TOTAL 76 31 107 82 34 116 79 36 115

A TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND THEIR

QUALIFICATION FOR THE PRIMARY

CLASS NO.OF TEACHERS QUALIFICATION

NURSERY
K.G 1 2 City& guilds and ‘O’ Level
K.G 2 2 ‘O’ level and Dip in Basic Edu
B.S.1 1 A 3 years P/s
B.S.2 2 A 4 years/ssce
B.S.3 1 City and guilds
B.S.4 1 SSCE
B.S.5 1 A 3 year .P/s
B.S.6 1 A 3 year. P/s

PUPILS TEXT BOOK

 CLASS ENGLISH MATHS SCIENCE CREATIVE G.L
ARTS
B.S1 31 31 - - -
B.S.2 38 38 - - -
B.S.3 32 32 - - -
B.S.4 33 33 - - -
B.S.5 33 33 - - -
B.S.6 27 27 - - -

Teacher – pupils ratio = 390 =35.45

11

= 1: 35.5

Teacher – pupil ratio = Total no. of pupil

Total no. of teachers

The ratio of teacher to pupil to 1: 35

5.3 VOCATIONAL/ TECHNICAL

There is a technical institute in Dungu which is not in use. There is no senior high school in the
community.

5.3.1 TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The following communication facilities are lacking in the community. They are;

• Postal Agents

• Post Office

• G.P.R.T.U Office

• Lorry parks
 • Tracks

A few people in the community have personal cell phone. There is a bus stop in Dungu. Dungu is
along the 1st class road from tamale to Bolgatanga. There is a feeder road that links Dungu to
sahakpaligu. From our observation and interview, it was revealed that there are four telephone
networks, these include; MTN, VODAFONE, TIGO, ZAIN. There is an MTN pole stationed in
the community.

5.3.2 WATER AND SANITATION

The community has five standing pipes and two dams. One is near the first class road, one at the
Dungu Anglican School, one behind the P.T.A chairman’s house, one sited near the mosque and
one near the grinding mill. They use the dam water for domestic purposes when the pipes are not
flowing. Sanitation in the community is a little bit encouraging as compared to nearby
communities.

SEWAGE SYSTEM

All the 92 houses in Dungu do not have their own latrine; however there is one public latrine in
the community which has not yet been commissioned. Members of the community resort to
nearby bushes otherwise called “FREE-RANGE”

SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL

There is no refuse dump in the community which serves as a place for disposing of waste.
Natives burn solid waste and few practice pit dumping. The community does not have
constructed gutters; there are only channels as a result of erosion. The community is on a gentle
slope, so there is no stagnant water, but drain up easily which makes the community neat to some
extent.

5.3.3 SOCIAL AMENTIES

Upon the survey conducted, the community has many social amenities such as; schools, 1st class
roads and feeder road, communication networks, electricity, standing pipes, public latrine, and
filling station.

SOCIAL AMENITIES NUMBER

STANDING PIPES 5
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS 4
PUBLIC LATRINE 1
SCHOOLS 2
ELECTRICITY
(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

5.3.4 MARKETING

The community has no market centre and they do not have market days either. However, some
sell their produce by the road side and nearby community markets. Goods normally sold include;
cassava, yam, maize, millet, guinea corn, Bambara beans, sheabutter, groundnut oil, e.t.c.

MARKETING PROBLEMS

• No ready market for their farm produce

• Inadequate capital

• Decrease in commodity patronage

• No market centre in the community

• Selling on credit bases

IMPLICATIONS OF THE ABOVE FOR DEVELOPMENT

• The presence of networks makes communication

• The community network system creates employments for people

• The absence of G.P.R.T.U and lorry parks creates transportation problems in the
community e.g. Over-loading, charging of exorbitant lorry fares.

• Due to inadequate public latrine, people in the community resort to free-range which
causes air borne diseases and air pollution.

• Due to the inconsistent flow of the standing pipes, the people use the dam for
domestic purposes which can cause diseases such as guinea worm infestation and
typhoid.

• The absence of senior high school and tertiary institutions makes the pupils reluctant
to continue with their education after completing the basic school.

PROBLEMS

• Inadequate teaching and learning materials (T.L.M) to enhance teaching and learning.

• The school lack facilities such as nursery permanent classroom, library and latrine

• Everybody is at risk in terms of an outbreak of airborne since the houses are each other.

• The community has no market centre.

POTENTIALS

• The basic school is not far from the community hence encourages attendance

• The presence of pipes in the community serves as drinking water for the people
 • The dams serves as a substitute for other domestic purposes when the taps are not
flowing

RECOMMENDATION

• Provision of infrastructure by N.G.O’s, government and benevolent societies

• More text books should be provided by G.E.S and N.G.O’s

• Government should put up a market centre for the people.

 UNIT SIX

SOCIAL SERVICES

6.1 WATER AND SANITATION

The community has five (5) standing pipes and two dams, one near the first class road, one at the
Dungu Anglican School, one behind the P.T.A chairman’s house, one sited near the mosque and
one at the grinding mill. They use the dam water for domestic purposes when the pipes are not
flowing. Sanitation in the community is a little bit encouraging. All the 92 houses in the
community do not have their own latrine. However, there is one public latrine in the community
which has not yet been commissioned and hence not in use. The natives resort to “free-range”
6.2 EDUCATION TRAINING

Presently, there is no formal education training in the community. However, there is one
technical university which is not in use. Seminars or workshop are occasionally organized to
educate farmers and sheabutter making.

6.3 HEALTH NUTRITION

Health is a state of complete, physical, mental and social wellbeing of a person, there is no
hospital in the community. The people rely on near-by clinic (kamina) in Tamale. The common
diseases that affect the natives are; malaria, diarrhoea, severe headache, rheumatism, joint pains
and skin diseases.

6.3.1 NUTRITION

The people in the community have little knowledge of the nutritional value of the food they eat.
Therefore, there is nutritional imbalance which is mainly carbohydrate.

(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, KEY INFORMANT)

6.4 ADULT LITERACY

Generally in Dungu, with regards to literacy rate, about 4.7% adults can read and write.

(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

6.5 TRADITIONAL HEALERS

There are four (4) herbalists in the community. However, natives have knowledge about the use
of herbs. They try to treat themselves when they are sick. Meanwhile, they report serious cases to
the herbalists. They make use of roots, barks of trees, leaves of specific plants that are considered
sacred which are obtained from the bush.

(SOURCE; KEY INFORMANT)

6.6 CHEMICAL SELLERS

There is one (1) licensed chemical seller in the community. The drugs sold there are painkillers
and antibiotics.

(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)

6.8 PRIVATE MATERNITY HOMES

There is no private maternity home in the community. However, there are four (4) traditional
birth attendants. Two takes care of child delivery and the other two assist them.

PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF SOCIAL SERVICES

PROBLEMS

• Most family cannot afford a balanced meal due to financial constraints

• Lack of refuse dumps and other sewage management system in the community makes
them dispose off refuse at their backyards.
 • The absence of technical and vocational training centre in the community hinders the
acquisition of advanced skills.

POTENTIALS

• There are herbs for mechanical purposes

• There are 4 traditional healers and 4 traditional birth attendants.

• The presence of a basic school

• Availability of standing pipes serves as a good source of drinking water

RECOMMENDATION

• The non-formal education sector should extend their services to the community

• Technical and vocational training centre should be provided in order to enable them
acquire the requisite skills for development.

• The K.V.I.P should be commissioned so that the people can get access to a place of
convenience.
 PROBLEM RANKING

PROBLEMS COLLECTED

1. Absence of a community centre -A

2. Classroom structures -B

3. Irregular flow of water -C

4. Kvip (to be commissioned) -D

5. Less support from T.M.A -E

6. Inadequate funds -F

7. Lack of job opportunities - G

8. Absence of a clinic -H

9. Absence of a common market -I

10.Animal production on large scale (assistance from government) -J

 1 1 9TH

2 B 2 8TH

3 C C 8 2ND

4 A B C 0 10TH

5 E E C E 3 7TH

6 F F C F F 4 6TH

7 G G C G G G 5 5TH

8 H H H H H H H 9 1ST

9 I I C I I I I H 6 4TH

10 J J C J J J J H J 7 3RD

PROBLEM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 SCORE RANK

(SOURCE; GROUP FIELD SURVEY, 2009)
 PROBLEM TREE ANALYSIS

It should be noted that insufficient supply of clean water is not the most important problem.
Moreover, the position of the various problems in the problem tree does not depict the
importance of the problem, but they are used for the purpose of analysis.

The group field survey revealed that insufficient supply of clean water is one of the major
problems facing the people of Dungu.

The problem tree reveals the cause-effect relationship of numerous developmental problems in
the community (Dungu). Further interaction with the community members revealed that the
following are immediate causes of insufficient supply of clean water; insufficient maintenance of
funds, deteriorated water system, bureaucratic water administration and few service connections.

The following are also the resultant effect of the immediate cause of the core-problem; high rate
of disease, high rate of infant mortality, low productivity of workers, low income, high rate of
poverty, low savings, inadequate capital, low school turn-out, social vices, low standard of
living, malnutrition and health defect.
 PROBLEM TREE
HEALTH DEFFECT

MALNUTRITION
SOCIAL VICES

HIGH
LOW STANDARD
LOW SCHOOL IILETER
OF LIVING
TURN OUT ACY
RATE

INADEQUATE
CAPITAL HIGH RATE OF
POVERTY
 LOW SAVINGS
LOW INCOME

HIGH RATE OF INFANT LOW PRODUCTIVITY

MORTALITY OF WORKERS

HIGH RATE OF WATER

DISEASES

.
INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF CLEAN WATER

DETERIORATED WATER FEW SERVICE

SYSTEM CONNECTIONS

INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE BUREAUCRATIC WATER

OF FUNDS
ADMINISTRATION

KEY DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES

AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the backbone of the community of which the total development of the community
lies. In the presence of the dam when expanded and mechanized will help the farmers to practice
irrigation farming thereby guaranteeing them year round crop production. This will help reduce
the incident of seasonal unemployment. Improved farming practices and the use of organic
manure will improve the fertility of the soil as well as checking soil erosion.

The effective operation of the farmers’ co-operative association will help them acquire farm
machineries and inputs thereby boosting agricultural activities. The provision of ready market
will aid the sale of their farm produce.

EDUCATION

Dungu is a community that suffers low level of education. This can be attributed to the absence
of senior high school, poor classroom structure for the kindergarten. Absence of vocational and
technical institution Although the community is enjoying the presence of a primary school and
junior high school, there are no library and enough text books in the school.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

A greater portion of the community vegetation is Guinea savannah, so desertification is catching

up fast with the environment, therefore planting of trees as well as other methods of
environmental conservation practices should be adopted.

WATER AND SANITATION

The community has five standing pipes and two dams, which help them in their domestic
activities. Sanitation however is not all that good due to uncommissioned KVIP, absence of
refuse dumps and containers, gutters and so on. All these have serious effect on their health.

SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY

The small scale industries in the community such as sheabutter extraction, thatch weaving have
their raw materials in abundance in the community. With financial support, tools, improvement
in technology, as well as packaging will enhance the market of their product. This will help
strengthen those who engage in them financially, hence reducing poverty in the community to
some extend.

FINANCE

Effective operations of the co-operative associations in the community will help them get access
to funds and other credit facilities from banks and the government.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

The Development of every society depends on the health of the people. Dungu as a community
needs a health centre. The health officials can therefore educate the people on the issue of
balance diet and also give traditional healers more insight on the application of medical herbs.

COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION

The people don’t have serious problems with regards to transportation since the community is
about 9.45km from Tamale (the regional capital). Communication networks such as Zain, Mtn,
Vodafone and Tigo are all available in the community which has served as a source of
employment for some of the youth in the community. With the introduction of postal agents, post
office, G.P.R.T.U office and lorry parks will go a long way to enhance the standard of living of
the people.

GENDER ISSUES

In Dungu, priority is given to males during decision making processes. Women are only involved
in decision making with issues relating to them. In the traditional political system in the
community, women are not allowed to partake in decision making. However, it is about time
they get women involved in decision making in all aspect of life, in order to foster both local and
national development.

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS OPPORTUNITIES
• Vast land available • Presence of metropolitan assembly

• Availability of labour force • Support from benevolent societies

• Abundance of raw materials for • Support from NGOs

sheabutter production
• Presence of clinic at about 2.5km
• Presence of primary school and J.H.S away

• Presence of traditional birth attendants

• Herbalists

• Chemical seller

WEAKNESS THREATS
• High dependency ratio • No health centre and health personnel

• Low educational status • Inadequate teaching and learning

materials
• Poor classroom structure
• Lack of teachers bungalows
• Inadequate balanced diet
• No library
• Poor sanitation
• Lack of extension officers
• Poor drainage system
 RECOMMENDATION
In the light of these problems, the group came out with the following recommendations; the
dams in the community when expanded and mechanized will help the farmers to practice
irrigation farming thereby guaranteeing the farmers year round crop production. All
developmental partners in the metropolis and outside the boundary of the region should come to
the aid of the community in terms of the provision of credit facilities, health centre, educational
facilities and other developmental needs as enshrined in this document.

We strongly believe that, if the above recommendations are met, the living standard of the
people in the community would improve appreciatively.
 CONCLUSION
Notwithstanding the numerous developmental potentials of the community observed by the
group, such as availability of vast land, availability of labour force, abundance of raw materials
for sheabutter production, presence of primary school, presence of sedimentary rocks, presence
of traditional birth attendants and herbalists, communication networks, as well as well structured
traditional and modern political systems, Dungu is still facing certain developmental problems,
which include low educational status, high dependency ratio, poor balance diet, poor sanitation
and drainage system, absence of a common market and health centre.