Assessment of Impediments and Factors Affecting Waste Management: A Case of Accra Metropolis

Abstract

Solid waste management in Accra is a major challenge to the Metropolitan Authorities and inhabitants. The rapidly increasing population coupled with poor capacity of the municipal and private waste management companies to management waste effectively has created issues of environmental concern. Due to poor wastement managements systems, most household dispose waste discriminately leading to floods and health issues. The study showed that about 60% of household waste is organic materials which has the potential to be converted to compost for agriculture purpose. Meanwhile plastics and rubbers which litters the environment  as well as blocking major storm drains and gutters hence creating huge environmental hazard is made of 11% of the total component of most household waste generated daily. The study also revealed that among the methods of disposing waste, dumping waste in skip containers located at authorized places was the preferred means of disposing waste by household though others also dispose waste by other means such as burying and burning. Inadequate skip containers per population of household in an area coupled with irregularity of tracks picking these containers makes skip containers dumping site ugly scene, hence creating health issues. Among the constraints that impact negatively on sustainable waste management in Accra Metropolis, economic constraints was perceived as the main challenge which affect efficient waste management as currently the country is going through serious economic challenges so government does not release money timely to fund projects which waste management is key. Most donor partners that use to support the government with funds have either reduced or redrawn their services as they have no confidence in the state of Ghana economy. Aside the constrains, the study also indicated that factors such as poor public attitude towards waste management, poor enforcement of sanitation by-laws, inadequate and untimely release of government funds were also seen as the main factors affecting waste management.

Assessing a community-based waste separation program through examination of correlations between participation, information exposure, environmental knowledge, and environmental attitude

“…Source: (Fagariba & Song, 2017) The aim of the sustainable approach is to generate the minimum amount of waste possible, thereby minimizing the amount of waste that must be disposed in landfills.…”

Residents’ Perception on Central Storage of Solid Wastes in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State. Nigeria

“…On the storage of wastes on the road meridian and by the road sides, majority of respondents 72.5% opined that it is a bad practice. Fagariba and Song [48], also concluded that inadequate access to these waste bins as one of the main barriers. Issues relating to environmental health and safety concern of residents show majority of residents close to central wastes storage are concerned about flies’ infestation with 63% respondents and follow by odour nuisance while aesthetic is the least of their concern.…”

Market town household solid waste management: a case study of Embu, Kenya

“…For instance, in Ngomongo Village of Korogocho informal settlement of Nairobi County, households without access to waste collection services dispose their waste by roadside dumping, burning and burying (Ochieng, 2016). A study by Fagariba and Song (2016) also found that in urban Accra, only 61% of households had access to waste collection services, the remaining 39% did not have access to waste collection services and dumped their wastes in bushes, holes, streets and gutters. Similarly, in Indian urban areas, waste collection is a challenge resulting in open dumping, which creates environmental and health hazards (Agarwal et al, 2015).…”