A sociological study on solid waste management practices in the Birim North District, Ghana

Abstract

This work looks at solid waste management practices in the Birim North District, Ghana. The study used political economists’ perspectives in provision and management of public service to analyse waste disposal practices in the study communities. The aim was to explore factors responsible for indiscriminate dumping and burning of domestic waste in the Birim North District and suggest solutions to address the problem. Methodologically, the qualitative approach was used to select 87 participants to participate in the study. Sampling methods used were purposive, convenient and accidental sampling. Interview, focus group discussion and personal observation were the tools used to collect data. Themes formed from the data collected in respect to the research objectives informed the analysis. The study revealed that waste is dumped and burnt indiscriminately in the study communities and factors responsible for it are that distance between homes and waste dumps is far, waste materials and equipment are inadequate, waste education campaigns are not effective and inadequate funds have also prevented the District Assembly from regular transportation of the skip containers when the containers were full with waste. Hence the thesis recommended that, the Assembly should provide more waste bins to the communities if possible for every ten houses should have one mobile waste bin in each community to help reduce indiscriminate household waste disposal practices. Also, the Assembly should embark on effective waste education campaign to help reduce indiscriminate waste disposal practices