Post-graduate modules in Disaster Risk Reduction

The University of Ghana offers two semester-long Post-graduate modules in Disaster Risk Reduction. These comprise:

Concepts and Methods in Advanced Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR)

This course introduces students to advanced theories and concepts in Integrated IDRR with an emphasis on disaster incidence and management in low- income communities in urban areas in Ghana. The module provides high-level knowledge on the theory and methods for environmental health and disaster risk reduction. The course will provide students with the information and skills needed to design and implement research in the field of IDRR and provide policy inputs for addressing gaps in DRR and disaster management (DRM) in Ghana.

Key content areas:

Salient concepts in environmental health and DRR and the global context, urbanisation, human security and disaster risk in Africa -Poverty,health and disease in urban Africa, the risk environment in urban areas in Ghana and methods for assessing risk, community-based environmental management information systems, climate change and disaster risk accumulation processes in urban Africa, applied Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction in urban Ghana.

 Applied Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Ghana 

The course builds on the first semester module and aims to provide students with a full understanding of disaster risk reduction in Ghana. The module examines the institutional arrangements and programmes relevant to IDRR in Ghana, and interventions in Africa particularly. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to design and execute research, and engage in policy and advocacy work on disaster risk reduction.

Key content areas:

Global experiences in integrated environmental health, DRR Environmental health, DRR in Africa, Ghana Policies and strategies for integrating environmental health, DRR Information systems for developing, monitoring early warning systems and emerging challenges in IDRR in urban Ghana

70% by course work and examination. 30% by class and field assignments. Students will undertake a group field assignment, where they will be expected to undertake and report on research on specific urban hazards, vulnerabilities and interventions in the city of Accra. They will share their experiences at a seminar with other students and the faculty.

Contact:

Jacob Songsore, Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, Tel: 233 (0) 243 668 629, E-mail: songsore@ug.edu.gh