Comparative Analysis of Households Solid Waste Management in Rural and Urban Ghana.
The comparative analysis of solid waste management between rural and urban Ghana is largely lacking. This study investigated the solid waste situation and the organisation of solid waste management in both urban and rural settings from the perspective of households. The study employed cross-sectional survey covering both rural and urban districts in the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana. The study systematically sampled houses from which 400 households and respondents were randomly selected. Pearson's Chi square test was used to compare demographic and socioeconomic variables in rural and urban areas. Multivariate Test, Tests of Between-Subjects Effects, and Pair-Wise Comparisons were performed through one-way MANOVA to determine whether or not solid waste situations in rural and urban areas are significantly different. The results revealed that location significantly affects solid waste management in Ghana. Urban communities had lower mean scores than rural communities for poor solid waste situation in homes. However, urban communities had higher mean scores than rural communities for poor solid waste situation in principal streets and dumping sites. The study recommends that the local government authorities implement very comprehensive policies (sanitary inspection, infrastructure development, and community participation) that will take into consideration the specific solid waste management needs of both urban and rural areas.
Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Simon
0000-0002-2477-9501
S
Boateng
Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Prince
0000-0001-9795-3147
P
Amoako
Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Divine Odame
DO
Appiah
Department of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Adjoa Afriyie
AA
Poku
Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Emmanuel Kofi
EK
Garsonu
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005869:Ghana; D012424:Rural Population; D062611:Solid Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D014505:Urban Population; D018505:Waste Management / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D062611:Solid Waste