Sabelone Boadi
University of Cape Coast, ,
Abstract
Despite the high risks associated with indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, some residents in the Cape Coast Metropolis continue to bury, burn and dump refuse anywhere in their homes and surroundings without considering the health effects of their action. The study seeks to explore residents’ perception, attitude and disposal practices of solid waste disposal and its health impacts in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Data for the study was obtained from two hundred and eighty – four (284) respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to generate the sample for the study. The main tool employed in gathering the data was questionnaire. The theory of planned behaviour was used to explain residents’ action. The result of the study revealed that most of the respondents (75.0%) disposed of their solid waste in nearby skips with quite a number of respondents disposing their solid waste on the street. Among the solid waste disposal practices, recycling was the preferred disposal method. Forty-six per cent of the respondents expressed the opinion that the onus lies on the Metropolitan Assembly to ensure clean environments. There was a significant relationship between place of residence of respondents and their perception on solid waste disposal. It was also revealed that respondents have the perception that improper handling of solid wastes gives rise to diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and other respiratory tract diseases. The study recommended that the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly in collaboration with the Ministry of Health should intensify education on the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of solid waste.
Kwyword: Waste Disposal, Waste Management, Waste Control In Ghana
