Bridging the data gap: using remote sensing and open-access data for assessing sustainable groundwater use in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract Groundwater use has significantly increased in the rapidly urbanising city of Kumasi, Ghana. But there is a lack understanding whether groundwater system can sustain growing demand future amidst climate change and rapid urbanisation. Using remote sensing datasets water balance approach, this study estimated recharge assessed how urbanisation affected its sustainability. Sustainability investigated by comparing multi-annual withdrawals to long-term average annual replenishment. Results show that while decreased 80% from 1986 2020, mainly due substantial (63%) loss permeable land, consumption seen six-fold increase. 2020 exceeded 2.2 Mm3, suggesting current trends are unsustainable for availability. Under ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, four-fold increase predicted 2050 land cover changes may reduce 10 55%, respectively. Practical measures such as promoting artificial replenishment approaches, adopting low-impact development instituting management must be implemented Metropolis. This should informed further studies ascertain exact condition groundwater.