rache3/ghana-flooding-polling-analysis

Geospatial analysis of the 2023 Akosombo Riverine flood to assess its impact on polling stations in Volta and Greater Accra regions, providing insights into electoral infrastructure vulnerability ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections. Natural Disaster Impact on Elections: Akosombo Flood Case Study Overview This project investigates the impact of the 2023 Akosombo Riverine flood on electoral infrastructure in Ghana, with a focus on polling stations in the Volta and Greater Accra Regions. By combining satellite remote sensing with polling station spatial data, the study identifies affected locations and provides insights into election preparedness for the 2024 General Elections. Objectives Map the spatial extent of the Akosombo flood. Identify and quantify polling stations directly impacted. Provide a geospatial framework for disaster risk reduction in elections. Data Sources Satellite imagery: Sentinel-2 (pre- and post-flood). Topography: DEM for elevation and flood-prone zones. Polling data: Electoral Commission of Ghana polling station shapefiles. Infrastructure: OpenStreetMap river networks and settlements. Methods Pre-processed Sentinel-2 imagery and calculated NDWI to extract flood extent. Overlaid flood polygons with polling station locations. Conducted spatial statistics to assess affected vs unaffected stations. Produced geospatial maps highlighting vulnerable electoral infrastructure. Key Outputs Flood extent maps for Volta and Greater Accra. Maps showing polling stations at risk. Vulnerability profile of electoral infrastructure under disaster conditions. Applications Disaster contingency planning for Ghana’s 2024 elections. Support for Electoral Commission decision-making. Academic contribution to the intersection of natural hazards and electoral geography.