Barriers to Rural Community Participation in Solid Waste Management Programmes at the Asunafo North District in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

For many years now, solid waste problem has become of the major environmental issue which has confronted various Africa local authorities and Ghana has not been an exception. While various communities have been encouraged to participate in solving the problem, in Ghana, little or no success story about community participation in solid waste management (SWM) programmes can be demonstrated. This study consequently sought to investigate into the barriers to rural community participation in SWM Programmes at the Asunafo North district in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Qualitative case-study method was employed with in-depth interviews and focus groups discussions techniques used to ascertain the opinions of the community members and environmental health officials themselves. Data were audio-taped, transcribed and later analysed. The study finding indicated that a number of barriers prevent community members from participating in SWM which include: lack of support, disillusionment, culture and poverty emanating from high cost of living and precarious nature of the communities’ livelihoods. It is therefore recommended that for the communities to be motivated to participate in SWM propgrammes there should be practical supports in all kinds from the various stakeholders such as the municipality, community-based organisations, micro enterprises and local leaders.