An Effective Solid Waste Management and Environmental sanitation Diseases Reduction Module of Ghana- A Case of Thetechiman Municipal Area, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

Abstract

Urbanization the world over and in Ghana has resulted in many poor environmental consequences. Urban solid waste disposal in Ghana has become a heavy task for the central government; the municipal authorities and other stakeholdersto manage. The solid waste disposal problem is increasingly becoming unbearable for the stakeholders in the waste disposal sectors. This paper investigates the nature of the urban solid waste disposal challenge and its environmental sanitation related issues in Ghana and more especially in the Techiman municipality. Major issues concerning the management of solid waste problem in the country that were considered include: the inadequacy of logistics for managing the menace, human resources, funds and public education. Apart from discussing the waste situation in the study area the study also identifies the causes of the menace from the perspective of the various stakeholders. The waste collection and disposal facilities and services provided by the key stakeholders in the waste sector were examined in relation to the concepts of environmental sustainability and sanitation diseases respectively. Methods used in this study include observations; questionnaires and interviews from stakeholders, households, business units and the public health departments as well as pictures and documentaries. It was realized that the study area had an increased solid waste generation capacity which resulted in various kinds of epidemic diseases in humans and animals alike. The situation also tends to degrade the environment and even pollute the TanoRiver which inhabits the sacred fishes and serves as a site for tourist attraction to the municipal area. Some causes of the crisis can be identified as lack of political will to managing the solid waste situation in the country. Though the country has environmental laws, these laws are too flexibility and relaxed that most offenders go unpunished.