Spatial Inequality in Waste Management in a Millennium City: The Nexus Between Governance Poverty

Abstract

Even though Accra was declared a millennium city in 2010, proper management of solid waste continues to be an unrelenting challenge for the authorities. Residents in low-income communities, (about 70% of residents) appear virtually cut-off from such municipal service. Using both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, this paper examines how certain governance practices reinforce spatial inequalities in the provision of such a service in Metropolitan Accra. The findings show that the forces behind the current condition range from weak municipal organizational capacity and internally generated revenues, over-simplified expectations on public-private partnerships to achieve “overnight” sustainability, and lack of community participation in strategic plans and projects. This paper argues that the inability of the city authorities to engage all the stakeholders in the provision of public services is a symptom of bad governance and a recipe for differentiated service provision skewed in favour of the rich and affluent in the society. To abate the situation, the paper urges the authorities to acquire the requisite skills to design and supervise programmes that enable all the stakeholders to participate as active partners in all stages of the municipal solid waste management