Principal Research Scientist

Deputy Director

Fishery and Aquaculture

Email address: rubyasmah@yahoo.com

Telephone

0241435373, 0205209452

DEGREE

PhD Aquaculture

MSc Ecological Marine Management

BSc Chemistry

Dr (Mrs) Ruby Asmah is Principal Research Scientist with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), a Deputy Programme Coordinator for the MPhil Programme in Fisheries and Aquaculture at the CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST) and a Senior Lecturer in Aquaculture Water Quality Management at the College. She has vast experience in aquaculture development, particularly in relation site selection, water quality management and general farm practices. She is also an expert in environmental monitoring and impact assessments, ecological studies and water resources management. The focus of her research in the recent years has centered on lakes and reservoirs in Ghana, with a view of ensuring sustainable use of these resources in relation to aquaculture development, fisheries, mining and industrial development and climate change. In addition to research and teaching, she is a consultant to international mining companies in Ghana advising them on water quality and ecological issues. She has also undertaken consultancy missions for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. She has supervised a number of students at both masters and doctoral levels at various Ghanaian Universities. She is an external examiner and a reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals. She has obtained research grants from funding agencies including the Royal Society and Leverhulme Trust, DANIDA, the World Bank (through the Fisheries Commission, Ghana). She serves on a number of National and International Technical Committees, including the Natural Resources Technical Review Committee at the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana, the Aquaculture working group at the Africa Union InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources, etc. She has several peer reviewed journal publications, a book, book chapters and conferences papers to her credit. Research/Special Interests Aquaculture systems and operations, appraisal of aquaculture projects and marketing, Geographical Information Systems applications, water resources management, environmental impact assessments Current Research: A proposal on – improving the aquaculture sector in Ghana through improved post-harvest handling of culture fish – is in preparation. Refereed Journal papers Ameworwor M. Y.,  Asmah R.  Ofori-Danson P. K.,  Clottey M.N.K. (2019) Enhancing local fish production through cage aquaculture on the Volta Lake: Impacts on capture fisheries. Journal of Fisheries and Coastal Management (Accepted for publication – In press). Mensah E.TD, Dankwa H.R., Torben L.L., Asmah R., Campion B.B and Edziyie R. (2019). Mass balanced model of Lake Volta fisheries: The use of Ecopath model. Lakes & Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable. (Accepted for publication, pending minor correction) Darko D., Adjei K.A, Appiah-Adjei E.K., Odai S.N., Asmah R. (2019). Climate trends of recent climatological period of the Volta Basin in West Africa. Weather, First published: 12 December 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/wea.3303 Darko D., Trolle D., Asmah R., Bolding, K., Adjei K.A., Odai S.N (2019). Modeling the Impacts of Climate Change on the Thermal and Oxygen Dynamics of Lake Volta. Journal of Great Lakes Research 45, pp. 73-86. Darko D., Adjei K.A, Appiah-Adjei E.K., Odai SN., Asmah R. (2019) Simulation of climate characteristics and extremes of the Volta Basin using CCLM and RCA regional climate models. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 135(1-2) 741-763. Mensah E.TD, Dankwa H.R., Torben L.L., Asmah R., Campion B.B and Edziyie R. (2019). Seasonal changes in Fish catch and Environmental variables in a large Tropical Lake, Volta, Ghana. African Journal of Ecology, 57 (1): 66-75. Mensah E.TD, Dankwa H.R., Torben L.L., Asmah R., Campion B.B and Edziyie R. (2018). Effects of seasonal and environmental changes on aquaculture production in tropical Lake Volta, Ghana. Aquaculture International, 26(6): 1387-1400. Clottey M.N.K. Asmah R., Ofori-Danson P.K. Ameworwor M.Y., Ameworwor and MY AY Karikari (2016). Impacts of Cage culture on Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Water Quality in Lake Volta, Ghana. African Journal of Aquatic Science 41(4) 473-480. Asmah R., Karikari A. Y., Ofori J. K., Abban E.K. and Awity L.A.K. (2014) Cage Fish Farming in Lake Volta: Practices and Potential Environmental Impacts. Ghana Journal of Science, Vol. 54, 33 – 47. Asmah R. and Biney C. A. (2014) Distribution of heavy metals in tissues and organs of tuna. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science. 1(6) 82-86. Biney, C.A. and Asmah R. (2010) The effects of physico-chemical parameters on speciation of trace metals in sediments from inland and coastal waters of Ghana. African Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 35(3): 299-305. Tay, C. Asmah R. and Biney, C.A. (2010) A comparative study of the pollution status of Sakumo II and Muni Lagoons in Ghana. Water Science and Technology, 62.5: 1067 – 1075. Internationally edited Book/Report AU-IBAR, 2016. Regional Framework on Environmental Management for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Africa – Western African Region. AU-IBAR Reports. (Report prepared by Ruby Asmah) ISBN 978-9966-1659-5-4. (Available at http://www.au-ibar.org/component/jdownloads/finish/5-gi/2883-regional-framework-on-environmental-management-for-sustainable-aquaculture-development-in-africa-west-africa-region) Asmah, R., Karikari, A., Falconer, L., Telfer, T.C. and Ross, L.G (2016). Cage aquaculture in Lake Volta, Ghana: Guidelines for a sustainable future. CSIR Water Research Institute, Ghana and University of Stirling, Stirling UK. 112 pp. ISBN: 978-1-908063-40-3. (Available at: http://www.aqua.stir.ac.uk/GISAP/Ghana). Selected Publications Asmah R, H. Dankwa, C. A. Biney and C. C. Amankwah (2008) Trends analysis relating to pollution in Sakumo Lagoon, Ghana. African Journal of Aquatic Science 2008, 33 (1): 87–93 Tay, C., Asmah R. and Biney, C. A. (2008) Trace metal concentrations in commercially important fishes from some coastal and inland waters in Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology (13) Asante, K. A., Ansa-Asare, O. D., Asmah, R. and Biney, C. A. (2003) Impact of pollution on Korle Lagoon and the Immediate Inshore Waters of Accra. Journal of Applied Science and Technology (JAST), Vol. 8, Nos. 1&2, pp. 44 – 54 Asmah, R. and Dankwa H. R. (2002) Lagoons and Estuaries: Important National Resources. Info Water Newsletter, CSIR Water Research Institute. Vol. 1 No. 1 Asmah, R. and Biney C. A. (2001) Assessment of water, air and land-based sources of pollution to the coastal zone of the Accra-Tema Metropolitan area. Journal of Ghana Science Association Vol. 3 No. 3, 126-135 Asmah R. (2000) Heavy metal partitioning in the Scheldt estuary: Implications for metal bioavailability to filter feeding bivalves (Mytilus edulis) (M Sc thesis). 59pp. Oral and poster presentations Asmah, R. (2007) Comprehensive market information for tilapia consumption in Ghana. Stirling Graduate Research School, 3rd Annual Conference, 28th March, 2007; Mac Roberts Centre, University of Stirling Asmah, R. (2001) Remobilization potential of Pb and Zn in sediments of the Weija Reservoir. 9th International Conference on Conservation and Management of Lakes. November 2001, Otsu, Japan. Poster number 3AP38, Conference Proceedings. Prior to joining CSIR, Dr Bazaanah worked as a Lecturer with the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, University of Johannesburg. He has expertise or coordinating research and development programmes in areas of water and sanitation governance, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development, some of which have been published either as policy briefs, peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, or book chapters. Fellowships/ Awards /Grants: 2022 – 2024: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PDRF), Future Africa Institute, University of Pretoria (South Africa) and Carnegie Corporation (New York, USA). 2018 – 2021, PhD Scholarship Grantjointly funded by National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), South Africa and The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Senegal. 2018 – 2021PhD Award (Merit category). Awarded four-year postgraduate Merit Bursary for PhD Studies by University of Johannesburg, South Africa. 2009-2012, Government of Ghana Bursary Award, Scholarship Secretariat, Ghana Research Interest: My research interest lies in exploration of transdisciplinary pathways to water and sanitation governance, community development and sustainable development, using perspectives and principles from political ecology/ economy and multilevel-governance approaches. Current Projects: 2022-2024; Community participation in governance and sustainability of rural water and sanitation systems in the Savanna Region, Ghana (2022-2024) [FAR-LEAF Research Grant]. Publications: Journals: Bazaanah, P. and Dakura, M. (2021). Comparative analysis of the performance of rope-pump and standardised handpump water systems in rural communities of the Northern and Upper East Regions. Groundwater for Sustainable Development. Volume 13 (May 2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2021.10056 Deri, N.M, Zaazie, P. and Bazaanah, P. (2021). Turnover Intentions Among Hotel Employees in the Accra Metropolis of GhanaAfrica African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. Volume 10 (No.1): 238-255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720-98 Bazaanah, P. and Chilaule, L. (2021). Formalisation of informal economies and sustainable local development in Africa: Cases of Egypt and Mozambique. African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development. Volume 8 (2) 140 – 150: https://doi.org/10.1504/AJESD.2021.114534 Bazaanah, P. (2020). Political ecology of water resource governance in Ghana: Towards decentralization and participatory water governance in rural communities of the Savannah Region. International Journal of Political Science and Development. Vol.8 (6).252-279: https://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJPSD/PDF/2020/June/Bazaanah.pdf Bazaanah, P. (2019). Sustainability of rural communities drinking water systems and local development projects in the Bole, West and Central Gonja Districts of the Savannah Region, Ghana. Review of Social Sciences. Vol 4. No. 1: Issue 1: (pp. 16 – 36) Available online: https://www.socialsciencejournal.org/index.php/site/article/view/140/62  Bazaanah, P. (2019). Local governance, inter-governmental funding and sustainable socio- economic development in Gomoa West District, Ghana. International Journal of Development and Sustainability (IJDS), Vol.8. (Issue 12): 834-857. https://isdsnet.com/ijds-v8n12-06.pdf Bazaanah, P. (2019). Evaluating the effects of household’s socio-demographic elements on the determination of drinking water quality and quantity in rural savannah communities of northern Ghana. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, Vol. VII, Issue 7: (pp.356– 405). Available online: http://ijecm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7823.pdf Books and Book  Chapters: Bazaanah, P. (2022). Ecological governance and sustainability of rural households water conservation systems in the Savannah Region of Ghana. In I. Nojiyeza, O. Mtapuri, P. Bazaanah, & E. Netshiozwi (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Resource Management and the Struggle for Water Sustainability in Africa: New York. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/ecological-governance-and-the-sustainability-of-rural-household-water-conservation-systems-in-the-savannah-region-of-ghana/295923 Nojiyeza, I., Mtapuri, O., Bazaanah, P., & Netshiozwi. E. (2022), Handbook of Research on Resource Management and the Struggle for Water Sustainability in Africaed.). New York: IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-resource-management-struggle/273497 Marley, G. N., Bazaanah, P. and Oppong, P. (2022). Non-governmental Organizations in water and sanitation management: A case of Tunayilli of the Sanerigu District. In I. Nojiyeza, O. Mtapuri, P. Bazaanah, & E. Netshiozwi (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Resource Management and the Struggle for Water Sustainability in Africa. IGI Global: New York. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/examining-the-role-of-ngos-in-community-water-and-sanitation–improvement/295924 Bazaanah, P. (2018). Assessing the Socio-economic needs of Communities in Jachie-Pramso of the Bosomtwi District in the Ashanti Region, Ghana: Germany, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. Available Online: https://www.morebooks.shop/store/gb/book/assessing-thesocioeconomic-needs-of-communities-in-jachie-pramso/isbn/978-613-9-57827-6 Bazaanah, P. and Mensah, J.V. (2013). Decentralisation, Revenue Mobilization and Development in Ghana: Germany, Lap Lambert Publishing. Available online; https://www.amazon.com/Decentralisation-Revenue-Mobilisation DevelopmentGhana/dp/3659404713