Assessing Willingness to Pay for Solid Waste Management in Ga East Municipal, Ghana

Abstract

Waste management has been a topic under discussion across the country which needs more attention. This study assesses the willingness to pay for solid waste management in Ga East Municipal, Ghana. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used, and convenient sampling was used to select 100 respondents with 26 males and 74 females. A probit model was used to analyze factors affecting willingness to pay for solid waste management, Kendall's coefficient of concordance was used to analyze the challenges households face in accessing waste management, and Likert scale was used to analyze the improvement of waste management. The study revealed that age, education, household size, distance, and income are statistically significant and influenced willingness to pay for improved waste management. It was observed that 58% of the respondents representing the majority pay Ghc(1-4) in disposing refuse whilst 81% representing majority are willing to pay Ghc(4-6) for improved service. The study further revealed that inadequate dustbins and collection sites, distance, delay in collection of waste, and lack of waste management programs in the municipal were the significant challenges households face in accessing waste management. Provision of dustbins, allocation of collection points in communities, provision of toilet facilities, education on poor sanitation, and its menace are some measures that can help curb sanitation problems in the District. Therefore, the study recommend that Government and other stakeholders must sensitize members in the district on poor sanitation and its menace especially waste burning causing air pollution and also service providers should provide dustbins at vantage points in communities and pick them early when full, this will help to avoid environmental pollution leading to people’s willingness to pay for improved service.