Stakeholder Participation for Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Ga West Municipality, Accra – Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the participation of identified stakeholders in solid waste management (SWM) in Ga West Municipality. The specific objectives of the study included the examination of the interests, importance and influence of identified stakeholders as well as an assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Methodology: Qualitative research methods were used for data collection. This involved using semi-structured interviews with open and close ended questions, informal interviews, focus group discussion and observation. The study identified ten (10) stakeholders. They included households, market traders, food processors, schools, lorry stations, Ga West Municipal Assembly, skip site operators, scavengers, Private waste operators and waste disposal facility. The study employed multiple sampling techniques. Stakeholder analysis was used to understand stakeholder roles, responsibilities and power influence relations. Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis was carried out to assess the internal and external merits, prospects and challenges facing these stakeholders in sustainable SWM. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that stakeholder involvement in SWM was low. Opportunities existed for compost and recycling but half of the total waste generated was uncollected and recovery rate was very low. Recommendation: This study proposes stakeholder consultation and involvement, recognition and integration of scavengers and intensification of public education on solid waste collection, reduction, reuse, recovery and recycling. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Stakeholders had varying degree of interest, importance and capacity to influence SWM. All stakeholders had peculiar strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat which must be carefully exploited and managed for the achievement of a sustainable SWM. Keywords: sustainability, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and influence