Granit Outcrops and their Reception by Residents

Academic Paper from the year 2017 in the subject Earth Science / Geography - General, Basics, , language: English, abstract: Some coastal and inland residential areas in Ghana have deposits of granite outcrops, such as those found in Winneba, a coastal town in Ghanäs Central Region. Residential granite outcrop deposits mostly draw the people¿s perception about their origin and why they appeared in such areas. The study was therefore aimed at finding out the perception of residents about the existence of granite outcrops in parts of Winneba Township.

The study was mainly descriptive using total respondents of 60 residents from three communities within the Winneba Township. These were selected through systematic and purposive sampling and were interviewed. The study also relied on first-hand information as well as documented literature. The results confirmed that the perception of most residents was influenced by their level of education and also traditional beliefs. Even those with higher education relied on historical myths and folk tales handed to them by their grandparents, either than scientific-based research. It however appeared that the varying perceptions of the residents mostly did not fit into the scientific explanation of the origin of the granite outcrops in the communities. Based on these findings, it was recommended that public education be carried out to create awareness about these outcrops, their preservation and utilization.