The contribution of private companies to urban solid waste management in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana
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Date
2019-10
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KNUST
Abstract
The Kumasi metropolis is confronted with poor solid waste management. Waste
collection in some communities has not been regular resulting in a heap of refuse and
overflow of waste from bins and skips at the communal collection sites. This study
examined the contribution of the private sector in the management of solid waste in the
Kumasi metropolis. The study adopted a cross sectional study design. Data for this
study were obtained from 385 clients from five private waste management companies
and managers of 5 Private Waste Management Companies and managers of Kumasi
Metropolis Waste Management Department, The Landfill Site and the engineer at
Dompoase. The main tools used in the collection of the data were questionnaires,
structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observation. Quantitative data
were presented using tables and graphs whiles qualitative data were presented through
the use of direct quotations from respondents. The study reveals that private waste
companies have improved significantly the collection and disposal of solid waste
management in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study also found that the level of
performance in terms of efficiency and service quality of the private companies are
higher than the KMA/WMD. The study further found that the capacity of the private
companies in terms of equipment holdings and operational qualities of the waste
companies accounted for the higher level of performance of the companies. Despite this
contribution from the sector, the government through the KMA has not been able to
make prompt payments to private waste companies rendering them handicapped in their
operations. It was concluded that the PWMC are particularly concerned with managing
waste for profit purposes. The study recommends that KMA should charge the PWMCs
with other tasking roles such as education on waste prevention, reduction and reuse
which are rated the best management strategies.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of a degree of Master of Philosophy in Geography and Rural Development College Social Sciences and Humanities