SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE ADENTA FLAT COMMUNITY IN THE ADENTAN MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT 

The purpose of this study was to investigate solid waste management in theAdenta Flat Community in the Adentan Municipality. Specific objectives of the research were to:(i)describe the state of solid waste disposal in the Adenta Flat Community.(ii)examine the attitudes of the residents of Adenta Flat Community towards solid waste disposal (iii)identify the causes of poor solid waste disposal in Adenta Flat Community and(iv)examine the effects of poor solid waste management in the Adenta Flat Community.The descriptive qualitative case study design was employed to carry out the study. The instruments used to collect data for the study were interviews and observations. Forty participants were selected by means of simple random and convenient sampling methods. The data gathered for the study was edited and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study show that the state of disposal of solid waste in Adenta Flat Community is deplorable. The attitude of some residents of Adenta Flat Community toward the disposal of solid waste is also poor. The causes of poor disposal of solid waste in the community were mainly inadequate bins, irregular offloading and lack of law enforcement by the authorities. Other causes were attitudes of some tenants in the flats. The effect of poor disposal of solid waste in Adenta Flat Community were bad stench, dogs feeding on waste, lots of flies around, rubbish being scattered all over the place, poor drainage, general environmental hazards and breeding  of  mosquitoes. There is therefore the need for governments MMDAs, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to engage in public education on the effects of improper waste disposal practices on health, provision of adequate refuse containers or bins, enforcement of bye-laws either by fining anyone found disposing of waste inappropriately or offender being punished to sweep a week or over, depending on the offence .