Stakeholder Views on Waste and Its Management in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Management of waste in Ghana is primarily the responsibility of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies in partnership with private waste management companies. The main objective of this study was to assess stakeholder views on waste and its management in Tamale Metropolis. Purposive sampling was used to interview a total of 11 stakeholders from both private and public sectors to solicit their views on the problem of waste generation and its management in the Tamale Metropolis. The study revealed that 100% of the stakeholders considered waste and its management as a serious problem in the Tamale Metropolis. The stakeholders considered improper waste disposal as the major problem in the Metropolis. It is therefore eminent that the fastest growing city in West Africa in recent years is gradually becoming a slum despite being adjudged the cleanest city in Ghana on three occasions. Out of the 11 respondents, 91% of them believed there is consultation and collaboration among waste stakeholders in the Metropolis whilst only 9% disagreed. The study also revealed that 91% of the stakeholders participated in waste management decision making whilst 9% have never participated in waste management decision-making in the Metropolis. This infers that there is a comprehensive collaboration between stakeholders in the management of waste in the Metropolis. The study revealed that waste management challenges in the Metropolis are as a result of deficiencies in technical, financial and institutional frameworks as well as social constraints.