Indiscriminate open space solid waste dumping behaviour of householders in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana: a political economy analysis

Abstract This study assessed the factors which influenced households’ choice of waste disposal methods using cross-sectional data of 547 households from seven districts in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. Indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes in open spaces by households was the pivotal method of disposal of solid wastes that was analysed using economic theories related to consumption behaviour. We established that large household sizes were associated with increased likelihood of open dumping of solid wastes. Increased likelihood of open dumping of solid wastes by households was also linked to the lack of formal education or schooling of the household head, the availability of electricity inside the premises of the house, which encouraged production activities within the household, and open defecation. Urban households were less likely to engage in open dumping of solid wastes as compared to rural households. The other factors that reduced the likelihood of open dumping of solid wastes were generally in the area of quality of housing services; these were the availability of water inside the household premises, the number of sleeping rooms available to the household, and higher quality of housing services revealed through the willingness-to-pay for rents by householders. Finally, Guan-headed households were less likely to engage in open dumping of solid wastes than non-Guan-headed households, especially those living in rural areas. Rural Guan-headed households had the lowest proportion of open dumping of solid wastes.