Municipal Solid Waste Management Performance

Abstract: Sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a major challenge in urban areas throughout the world, with the situation getting worse in most developing countries. This paper evaluates MSWM performance in Ghana, using the Wa Municipality as a case study. The policy and legal, institutional, and financial frameworks, as well as the technical capacity for waste management, were examined. The methodology and research design for the study was an exploratory and interpretive case study that was analysed through both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study findings indicate that Ghana has a good institutional framework, sufficient and robust legislation, existing bylaws, policies and programmes regarding MSWM. However, the challenge is the non-enforcement of and non-compliance with the laws and regulations governing MSWM. Also, the emphasis on stakeholders’ involvement in MSWM in the country is focused mainly on waste collection, and no attention paid to waste reduction, treatment and final disposal. Additionally, waste management financing and the technical capacity for waste management are woefully inadequate. Thus, improving the enabling environment for sustainable MSWM with a focus on the examined indicators could scale up MSWM performance in Ghana for the attainment waste management goals.