COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES IN HIGH AND LOW INCOME AREAS IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

The study makes a comparative analysis into solid waste collection services in high and low income areas in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. It conveniently selected Adoato and Dompoase from low income areas and Ahodwo and Nhyiaeso from the high income areas. Within each selected community, the study administered questionnaire to female between the ages of 18 years and 64 years with a sample size of 150. Some of the tools used in collecting data were interview guides and questionnaire for households. Separate interview guides were used to gather information from informal waste collectors, Zoomlion and senior officer at Waste Management Department, KMA. The study further used observation method to gather data where pictures were taken during field survey. The key variables in the study included solid waste financing, social and environmental injustices in low and high income areas in Kumasi Metropolis. The study found shortage of funds as a major problem in solid waste collection in the study areas. It further revealed that social and environmental injustices are being perpetuated against the low income areas in the delivery of solid waste collection services in the Kumasi Metropolis and that the low income areas are experiencing worsening solid waste situations as compared to the high income areas. Therefore the study recommends that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly authorities confront the challenge of finding innovative ways to raise additional resources to upgrade and extend environmental services more equitably across the entire jurisdictions of Kumasi.