Municipal Solid Waste Management in Ghana: An Unmitigated Challenge to Environmental Sustainability?

Abstract

This study examines solid waste management practices in selected municipalities in Accra, Ghana, where waste management remains a major challenge with significant environmental and household impacts. Guided by functionalism theory, the study investigates how current waste management practices affect environmental sustainability in a developing country context. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 54 participants, including 42 household representatives across seven municipalities, five garbage collectors, and one key municipal official from each municipality. Documentary evidence was also reviewed to complement the interview data. The findings reveal that waste management practices in the municipalities largely deviate from local by-laws and internationally accepted standards. Although some households rely on private waste collection contractors, many still engage in indiscriminate dumping and burning of waste. Factors such as weak monitoring of contractors, inadequate public education on waste management, and the perceived high cost of waste collection contribute to ineffective waste management. Overall, the study provides empirical evidence that poor municipal waste management undermines environmental sustainability and poses risks to public health and property.