Residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards urban solid waste management in the Berekum Municipality

Abstract

Solid waste management has become a daunting task for local government authorities who seem to lack the capability to deal with the escalating waste situation. Meanwhile, the design and implementation of municipal solid waste management systems require adequate analysis of existing behaviour patterns of key stakeholders, including their attitudes, perceptions, and values. The study therefore sought to investigate residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards urban solid waste management in the Berekum Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Questionnaires for the study were administered to 150 randomly selected households in the Berekum Municipality. The study found that residents recognized solid waste management as a major problem confronting the municipality and expected it to deteriorate further in the near future. They attributed this menace to inadequate provision of waste bins and the habit of indiscriminate dumping by residents. It was also found that residents did not currently pay for waste management services rendered to them. They however expressed willingness to pay for improved waste management services. The study therefore recommends adequate supply of containers, intensive public education and enforcement of by-laws on solid waste management, and introduction of user fees for waste management services.