Assessing the Challenges of Solid Waste Management in Ghana: A Case of Tema Metropolitan Area

Abstract

The study sought to assess the challenges of solid waste management in Ghana, a case of Tema Metropolitan area. Specific objectives were identifying the main source of waste generated in the Tema metropolis, assessing waste management methods available to the Metropolitan Assembly and also recommend practical interventions to ensure sustainable waste management. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The missed methods approach was adopted for the study restricting itself to nine communities in the Tema Metropolis. Purposive sampling was used to select institutions necessary for the study. However, multiple sampling methods including simple random sampling, systematic and purposive sampling was employed for the study. The study found out that malaria is the leading disease among the households with 53% of household members suffering from it within the past 12 months than any other disease. The study also noticed that no household was practicing waste separation in the study irrespective of their income and educational level. Further, the study also discovered that for all respondents, they noted that solid waste management was a challenge in the metropolis due to logistical and financial constraints faced by the Metropolitan Assembly. It is recommended that the TMA practiced the integrated solid waste management approach. The approach covers waste prevention, reduction, re-use, recycling, energy recovery, treatment and disposal. To cater for finances, the study recommends that TMA expands its revenue sources to include property and house taxes, city cleaning tax, fees for passing building plans, levies on advertisement, signboards and billboards as well as license for different trades and rents from the properties owned by the Assembly.