•                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  •                                        
  • Are wastewater treatment technologies applicable to small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana?
  • Additional studies are needed in other palm oil production regions of Ghana to generate national-level data. This will guide the development of a compendium of wastewater treatment technologies applicable to small-scale processing mills in Ghana. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
  • Are small-scale palm oil processing mills causing environmental problems in Ghana?
  • The environmental impact of small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana has come under serious questioning, especially the disposal of wastewater generated from their operations.
  • Is crude palm oil extraction a source of livelihood in Ghana?
  • Crude palm oil extraction is one of the sources of livelihood in Ghana's Central Region. However, the water use and wastewater generation associated with the industry have not been given adequate attention. This study assessed the water consumption and wastewater generation by small-scale crude palm oil extraction mills in the region.
  • How is palm oil processed in Ghana?
  • Unlike in Southeast Asia where the processing of crude palm oil is entirely undertaken by agro-industries in high-technology well-equipped mills, palm oil processing in Ghana (like other West African countries) is undertaken by low-technology, mostly less-mechanized mills of varied levels of complexities (Poku 2002).
  • Are palm oil processing mills disposed of wastewater?
  • The data in this chapter was obtained from a survey of selected small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana, laboratory analysis of wastewater samples from processing mills and review of related literature. Wastewater generated from the processing activities is currently disposed of without any form of treatment.
  • Do palm oil processing mills need a permit in Ghana?
  • Palm oil processing mills (small-, medium- and large-scale) are required under Regulation 1 of the Ghana Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) to register with and obtain environmental permit from the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to the commencement of the undertaking.