Revamping Urban Waste Systems: The Success of Collaborative Governance in Ghanaian Cities

A study by researchers in Ghana highlights the effectiveness of collaborative governance in improving solid waste management in urban areas, emphasizing the need for community involvement and accountability to ensure sustainability. This approach could serve as a model for other developing cities facing similar challenges.

Researchers from the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Ghana have conducted a study that reveals the potential of collaborative governance in addressing the significant challenges of solid waste infrastructure in informal urban neighborhoods across the country. Traditional top-down approaches to waste management have often proven inadequate in these areas, leading to severe environmental and health hazards due to the accumulation of waste. The study, therefore, explores how involving multiple stakeholders local governments, private companies like Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and community members can enhance the management of solid waste infrastructure through collective decision-making processes. This approach, the researchers argue, could serve as a model for other cities in developing countries facing similar issues.

Addressing Waste Management Gaps in Ghana’s Urban Areas

The research was conducted in Wa, a rapidly urbanizing city in northwestern Ghana, which, like many other cities in sub-Saharan Africa, struggles with the effective management of solid waste. The study involved interviews with 48 stakeholders, including officials from the Wa Municipal Assembly, representatives from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, assembly members, caretakers of waste disposal infrastructure, and residents of eight neighborhoods that have adopted collaborative governance practices. The findings emphasize the critical role of shared motivation, principled engagement, and capacity for joint action in ensuring the success of collaborative governance in waste management. These elements, according to the study, are essential for mitigating waste accumulation and maintaining environmental cleanliness in the vicinity of communal waste containers.

Enhancing Waste Collection Through Community Involvement

One of the key insights from the research is that collaborative governance can significantly improve the regularity and efficiency of waste collection, which is often hampered by infrastructural inadequacies and financial constraints. In Wa, for example, the Wa Municipal Assembly had contracted Zoomlion Ghana Limited to manage 27 communal solid waste containers, with the company responsible for lifting the waste twice a week. However, due to the high population density and the substantial amount of waste generated, this frequency was insufficient, leading to waste overflow and unsanitary conditions around the containers. The collaborative governance approach helped address this issue by facilitating more frequent waste collection, thereby reducing the health risks associated with waste accumulation, such as the spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid.

The Role of Pay-as-You-Dump Systems

The study also highlights the role of community involvement in the success of collaborative governance. In Wa, local assembly members played a pivotal role in mobilizing their communities to participate in the management of solid waste infrastructure. This included the implementation of a pay-as-you-dump system, where residents voluntarily contributed a small fee for waste disposal. The funds collected through this system were used not only to incentivize more frequent waste collection but also to purchase equipment for maintaining cleanliness around the waste containers. This community-driven initiative, though informal, proved effective in addressing the gaps left by formal governance structures, which often lack the resources or political will to enforce comprehensive waste management policies.

Challenges and Sustainability Concerns

Despite its successes, the collaborative governance model in Wa is not without its challenges. The study points out that the informal nature of the collaboration, particularly the lack of official endorsement from the Wa Municipal Assembly and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, poses a risk to its sustainability. The researchers caution that without integrating transparency and accountability mechanisms into the governance framework, the initiative could face difficulties in maintaining long-term community support and effectiveness. The potential for double charging—where residents are taxed by the government for waste management and also pay fees through the pay-as-you-dump system—was also identified as a concern that could undermine trust between stakeholders.

Lessons for Urban Environmental Governance

The implications of this study extend beyond Wa and Ghana, offering valuable lessons for urban environmental governance in other developing countries. The researchers suggest that collaborative governance could be a viable strategy for improving solid waste management in cities where traditional approaches have failed. By involving a broad range of stakeholders in the decision-making process, cities can leverage the collective expertise, resources, and motivation of these groups to address complex challenges such as waste management. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of adapting governance models to local contexts, ensuring that solutions are not only effective but also sustainable and inclusive.

The research conducted by the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies provides compelling evidence that collaborative governance can enhance the management of solid waste infrastructure in rapidly urbanizing cities in developing countries. By fostering cooperation among state institutions, private companies, and communities, this approach can lead to significant improvements in urban sanitation and public health, aligning with global sustainability goals. However, the study also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability to ensure the long-term success and legitimacy of such initiatives.