COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Solid waste management has become a development challenge the world over especially in developing countries and Ghana is no exception. Indeed the challenge has assumed an alarming proportion in Ghana to the extent that government over the years has battle it with all its arsenals and yet little success has been chalked. This study therefore sought to explore the option of community participation in solid waste management in the Wa Municipality in order to recommend its potentials to policy makers and stakeholders how communities can contribute in the fight against the solid waste menace. The study revealed that the common method of solid waste disposal in the Municipality is erudeopen dumping (48,23%). The study also discovered plastic waste is the common solid waste generated and that majority of respondents do not sort their waste at source since only about 21% separate their solid waste. During the study it came to light that about 90% of respondents have heard about the activities of Zoomlion however only 25% of respondents have registered for the services. About 90% of respondents said they do not have any community based organizations tbr the purpose of environmental sanitation and solid waste management and also indicated that cleanup are rarely organized in their communities, The study futher revealed that the Municipal Assembly does not have the requisite staff and equipments to effectively manage solid waste. The low level of patronage of the services of Zoomlion is attributed to the high charges associated with the services. The students recommends that the Municipal Assembly and Zoomlion Ghana should provide all households with dustbins at prices negotiated with residents. The Municipal Assembly in collaboration with residents should provide communal storage sites for communities, encourage separation of solid waste, encourage and support the support of the formation of community organizations for solid waste management, rules of solid waste management practices should be strictly enforced and women should be made central in any effort aimed at dealing with the solid waste menace.