ASSESSMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN SELECTED MUNICIPALITIES AND METROPOLIS IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The narrative on poor municipal solid waste management in Ghana is far from complete. The literature points to a sector that has gone through trial-and-error policies over the years but without an end in sight. One of such policies is private sector participation as a gold standard in service delivery. Despite the participation, challenges in service quality and efficiency remain unresolved. The study sought to assess how private sector participation contributed to service quality, efficiency and equity in the study areas. Such an assessment can contribute to addressing the waste management challenges besetting the municipalities as they expand. The study sought to assess the performance of private sector participation on service quality and efficiency in the study areas (Wa, Tamale, Bolgatanga and Sagnarigu). The concurrent triangulation mixed method design was employed to gather data. Quantitative data was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 400 respondents, and geographic coordinates of waste collection points were taken GPS device. Qualitative data was collected through interviews of purposively selected respondents from relevant agencies/departments/units. Focused Group Discussions and personal observations was also employed to collect data. The study applied Wasteaware Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Benchmark Indicator Framework, Gap Score analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis, and the Nearness Neighbour Index to analyse the data. The results show that the average score for service quality dimensions was -0.31, indicating poor service quality even though there were variations in the levels of services quality across the municipalities. The indicates a state-sponsored monopoly that result in weak compliance to the principles of competitiveness, accountability, transparency, and value for money. Furthermore, the distribution of waste collection sites was skewed to commercial areas and high-class residential areas, limiting access to low-class residential neighbourhoods. The study recommends the de-monopolization of the sector and the decentralization of the signing and execution of waste management contracts from the ministerial sector level to the Municipal Assemblies. Considering the important role played by the informal sector, it is recommended that the Municipal Assemblies regulate the activities of the activities of the informal sector and strongly position it as a main player in the delivery of solid waste management services. As the municipalities make progress in service delivery, the study recommends that the Municipalities develop and enforce waste management operational and services standards.