Challenges and Prospects of Solid Waste Management in Ghana

Urbanization is on the rise in Africa and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Of concern is that the infrastructure and land use planning including for waste management is not coping with the growth of urban areas (around 3.5% annually, highest in the world). This is particularly urgent in the slum areas which constitute a big part of many of the cities and towns in Africa. Environmental sanitation and waste management is aimed at developing and maintaining a clean, safe, and pleasant physical and natural environment in all human settlements, to promote the socio-cultural, economic and physical well-being of all sections of the population. Waste management comprises a number of complimentary activities, the provision and maintenance of sanitary facilities, the provision of services, public education, regulation and legislation supported by clearly mandated institutions, adequate funding, research and development. This paper seeks to focus the challenges and prospects of solid waste management and the legal or policy arrangements available to ensure environmental sustainability.