This paper assesses evidence-based applications of Remote Sensing for Sustainable and Precision Agriculture in the Northern Savanna Regions of Ghana for three decades (1990–2023). During this period, there have been several government policy intervention schemes and pragmatic support actions from development agencies towards improving agriculture in this area with differing level of success. Over the same period, there have been dramatic advances in remote sensing (RS) technologies with tailored applications to sustainable agriculture globally. However, the extent to which intervention schemes have harnessed the incipient potential of RS for achieving sustainable agriculture in the study area is unknown. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the synergy between agriculture policy interventions and applications of RS towards optimizing results. Thus, this study used systematic literature review and desk analysis to identify previous and current projects and studies that have applied RS tools and techniques to all aspects of agriculture in the study area. Databases searched include Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, AoJ, and PubMed. To consolidate the gaps identified in the literature, ground-truthing was carried out. From the 26 focused publications found on the subject, only 13 (54%) were found employing RS in various aspects of agriculture observations in the study area. Out of the 13, 5 studies focused on mapping the extents of irrigation areas; 2 mapped the size of crop and pasturelands; 1 focused on soil water and nutrient retention; 1 study focused on crop health monitoring; and another focused on weeds/pest infestations and yield estimation in the study area. On the type of data, only 1 (7%) study used MODIS, 2 (15%) used ASTER image, 1 used Sentinel-2 data, 1 used Planetscope, 1 used IKONOS, 5 used Landsat images, 1 used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and another 1 used RADAR for mapping and monitoring agriculture activities in the study area. There is no evidence of the use of LiDAR data in the area. These results validate the hypothesis that failing agriculture in the study area is due to a paucity of high-quality spatial data and monitoring to support informed farm decision-making.

Land governance is a linchpin for sustainable socioeconomic development and the protection of property rights in Ghana. Efficient land resource management is essential for fostering equitable access to land and ensuring the well-being of citizens. This study aims to explore the multifaceted landscape of land governance in Ghana and inform the development of an efficient Land Information System (LIS). Drawing from international perspectives and the legal framework of Ghana, this research unveils the complexities, challenges, and opportunities inherent in the land governance system of the country. The study delves into thirteen (13) key areas requiring attention and improvement, spanning legal frameworks, land surveying, digital technology adoption, decentralization, transparency, capacity building, public awareness, data security, collaboration, customary land systems, conflict resolution, regular updates, and financial sustainability. By dissecting these components, the research highlights the intricate interplay between effective land governance and the role of an efficient LIS. The study provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, government agencies, and stakeholders, with the intent to enhance land governance practices and build effective LIS in Ghana. This study also contributes to the realization of a more transparent, accessible, and equitable land management system that aligns with the development aspirations of the nation. This study also serves as a roadmap for fostering sustainable growth, bolstering land tenure security, and driving positive institutional change in the land governance landscape of Ghana.

A culvert is an important structure in Road construction to allow the conveyance of Channels crossing the road. Culverts are sized for a road to accommodate the volume of water crossing the road network to avoid flooding. Ghana Highways has a standard manual for culvert sizing at channel crossing. This manual serves as a guide for the proper sizing of culverts, however, lots of culverts have been found to have failed. Among the reasons for the failure of culverts could be under-sizing, urbanization, climate change, lack of maintenance, etc. The Daboya-Mankarigu Road is situated in the Savanah Region of Ghana in the North Gonja District. The section of the road from Chainage 9 + 075 to 10 + 200 has been experiencing flooding from 2020 to 2021 with a flood depth of 3.315 m in 2020 and 2.00 m in 2021. This study seeks to use integrated GIS and hydrological-based methods to propose new culverts to supplement the existing culverts to control flooding at section (9 + 075 to 10 + 200) of Daboya-Mankarigu Road (IR10). Geographic Information system (GIS) model (SWAT), Hydrological and hydraulic models were used to determine the peak flow at the catchment to Propose new culverts to supplement the existing culverts. Using a design period of 25 years for culverts, the modified rational method was used to determine the Peak flow of the catchment. A 25-year peak flow of 367.155 m³/s was determined and used for hydraulic analysis of the existing culverts. From the study, the existing culvert structures at the section had a hydraulic capacity of 78.732 m³/s which could not accommodate the remaining flow of 288.423 m³/s in the catchment. An observation was made that the changes in the rainfall can cause a change in rainfall intensity. An increase in built-up areas in the catchment can also increase the runoff coefficient which can result in higher peak flow in the catchment. Climate change, change in slope, and Land use in the catchment were also determined to have a huge influence on the adequacy of culverts since the peak flow is dependent on these parameters in the catchment as the years go by. A 4No. 4 m × 4 m box culvert, 3No. 3.5 m × 3.5 m box culvert, and 13 No. 1200 mm pipe culverts with 2 each at different chainages were proposed at suitable locations to supplement the existing culverts using the HDS-5 equations in AutoCAD Civil 3D. A recommendation is made to consider the installation of these new culverts at the flood section to control flooding and avoid overtopping of water on the IR10 road section (Daboya-Mankarigu) in the north Gonja District.

The rapid urbanization coupled with tremendous growth in population and built-up areas in the cities has led to issues associated with global climate change impacts such as urban heat islands. This study is concerned with the spatial impact of the dynamics of urbanisation on urban heat island (UHI) in the Sunyani Municipality using Satellite Remote Sensing techniques. Sunyani municipal is a growing area in Ghana with increasing population and urbanisation. Many people in Ghana are moving to settle in Sunyani for different purposes. In this process, vegetated areas have been converted to urban areas and this has led to a reduction in the vegetation cover and increased the urban temperature in the municipality. Therefore, there is a need for a study on how the dynamics in the land use and land cover (LULC) in the municipal are contributing to urban heat. The main aim of this research is to identify the impact of LULC dynamics on UHI using multi-temporal Landsat images from 2001 to 2021 with a 5-year epoch in the Sunyani Municipal. Landsat images acquired over Sunyani and its environs for the period from 2001 to 2021 with a 5-year epoch, were download freely from the USGS Earth Explorer website. These images were pre-processed in QGIS 3.16 using the Semi-automatic classification plugin (SCP). The pre-processed images were classified using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. The supervised classification was done using the semi-automatic classification plugin in QGIS 3.16. This study considered two (2) classes (urban and vegetation). The thermal infrared bands of the Landsat images were used to compute the land surface temperature (LST) for each year, starting from 2001 up to 2021, at a 5-year interval. The standard deviation and mean LST were extracted and used to extract all the UHIs in the municipality. Regression analyses were used to determine the impact of LULC dynamics on LST and UHIs in the Sunyani Municipality. The analysis yielded a strong impact with an R-squared value of 75% and 77% for UHI and LST respectively. The vegetated covers yielded a strong negative correlation with UHIs while Urbanisation yielded a strong positive correlation with the intensity of UHIs. On the other hand, Vegetation reduced the intensity of UHIs in the municipality. This gives a clear understanding of how dynamics in urbanisation and vegetation are affecting UHIs in the Sunyani Municipality. A Linear model was developed for LULC dynamics, LST and UHIs in the Sunyani municipality. It was concluded that LULC dynamics have a strong impact on UHI. It is recommended that the environmental Agencies in the Municipality should ensure the protection of the vegetated areas as well as improve the green areas in the Municipality to minimize urban heat.