EFFECTS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ON SUSTAINABLE COASTAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ADA OF DANGME EAST DISTRICT IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION

Abstract

The ineffective and un-integrated solid waste management policy and the lack of specific laws for the coastal environment, which has great potentials for tourism due to its serene and beautiful natural scenery in Ghana has resulted in poor environmental conditions in coastal settlements in the country. Solid waste disposal, in particular, has become a herculean task for the Dangme East District. For instance, the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department lacks the capacity to deal with the solid waste problem along the coast. This study investigates the effects of solid waste disposal on sustainable coastal tourism development In Ada. It describes the waste situation In the study areas and identifies the causes of the problem from the views of key stakeholders in the solid waste management and tourism sectors, as well as individuals in the study communities. The causes and effects of solid waste disposal on sustainable coastal tourism development as well as factors militating against effective implementation of sustainable coastal tourism development were examined in relation to the concept of Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. For the empirical investigation, qualitative methodology was used to gather data through interviews with key stakeholders in the waste and tourism sectors, together with documentary and observational data, to examine the issue of solid waste disposal and its effects on sustainable coastal tourism development in five coastal communities in Ada. The key issues identified by the study include: that coastal communities in Ada are experiencing worsening solid waste situations coupled with the District Assembly's lack of capacities in terms of financial, logistical and human resources to arrest the situation; that while some in-land communities have been provided with refuse containers through Zoomlion (waste management) company none of the study coastal communities has been allocated any refuse containers to collect waste to the landfill site; and that the root causes of indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in the study communities along the coast is attributed to lack of attitudinal change of the coastal inhabitants and government commitment to the course. In view of the findings, integrated and sustainable efforts should be adopted by Government through the Local Government Ministry, and in turn at District Assembly level, the private sector and mutual participation of community members in the solid waste management and coastal tourism development.