A Study of Sanitation Problems in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

Sufficient drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are all indispensable requirements to ensure human health. Improving upon these services will bring economic advances while also helping to build resilience given increasing climate variability. The objective of this research paper was to study sanitation problems in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The study using secondary sources available including newspapers reports, talks with experts, academic papers and documents confirmed that waste management is a major challenge in the Metropolis and there is the need to improving Decentralised Environmental Sanitation Governance in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study concluded that poor sanitation is a major issue undermining and impeding the socio-economic and political development of the people of Kumasi Metropolis and sanitation promotion or behaviour change is necessary for success in accomplishing safe sanitation. The study recommended the need to build on the grass roots, local government councils and development committees to plan and maintain their own sanitation improvement activities and promote individuals action for change with the support of technocrats from all sectors including health, education and community development.

Keywords: Sanitation, Hygiene, waste management, public health, environment