Households: passive users or active managers?: The case of solid waste management in Accra, Ghana

Addo-Yobo, Felix; Ali, Mansoor

doi:https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.25.4.4

International Development Planning Review (2003), 25, (4), 373–389.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.25.4.4
Language: English
Pages: 17

Abstract

Solid waste management is an essential public health service, but in many developing countries it is not provided to the full satisfaction of residents. Generally, solid waste systems tend to be provided on the basis of technical and financial considerations, and little or no consultation is carried out with the recipients of the service. Systems are often designed to satisfy the short-term views of politicians and professionals, rather than the needs of the users of the service. This has led to the development of solid waste systems that are inappropriate, and so receive little cooperation from residents. Consultation with the users at all stages of planning and implementation could improve the quality of services and reduce the costs. There is a need to develop new approaches that are based on integrating the existing practices and perceptions of the users with proposed developments. This paper presents the findings of a study that explored households' approaches to solid waste management in three suburbs in Accra, Ghana. The study showed that household activities are greatly influenced by social factors, service type and income levels. The study concludes that both the cooperation of households and cost recovery would be enhanced if residents were more involved in the planning of schemes.

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