SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WA TOWNSHIP

Abstract

The issue of waste management has become a major challenge in recent times in most developing countries. This study therefore aimed at ascertaining the socio-economic and behavioral determinants of household solid waste management in Wa Township. The study gathered data through the administration of questionnaires, key informant interviews and observation. The target group for the study was mainly households. The findings of the study discovered that the issue of indiscriminate waste disposal in the study area was an as a result of poor attitude and behaMr of households. About 43% of households interviewed practiced indiscriminate disposal of waste. Lack of public education was further revealed as one of the issues affecting indiscriminate disposal of waste by households. The study also identified several challenges that impacted negatively on waste management within the study area. These included break down of waste management equipment, ineffective sanitation laws, and poor planning standards among others. It finally concludes that the lack of regular platforms for public education was the main course of indiscriminate waste disposal and recommended that the Wa Municipal Assembly and its agencies should intensify their sensitization efforts in order to effect behavior change.