Residents’ Perceptions And Attitudes Towards Urban Solid Waste Management In The Berekum Municipality

ABSTRACT

Solid waste management has become a daunting task for local government

authorities who seem to lack the capability to deal with the escalating waste

situation. Meanwhile, the design and implementation of municipal solid waste

management systems require adequate analysis of existing behaviour patterns of

key stakeholders, including their attitudes, perceptions, and values. The study

therefore sought to investigate residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards urban

solid waste management in the Berekum Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region

of Ghana.

Questionnaires for the study were administered to 150 randomly selected

households in the Berekum Municipality. The study found that residents

recognized solid waste management as a major problem confronting the

municipality and expected it to deteriorate further in the near future. They

attributed this menace to inadequate provision of waste bins and the habit of

indiscriminate dumping by residents. It was also found that residents did not

currently pay for waste management services rendered to them. They however

expressed willingness to pay for improved waste management services. The study

therefore recommends adequate supply of containers, intensive public education

and enforcement of by-laws on solid waste management, and introduction of user

fees for waste management services.