Rethinking solid waste governance in Ghana

Abstract

Ghana's search for sustainable solid waste governance systems is far from complete. The State has adopted the private-public-partnership (PPP) governance policy as a gold standard solution. Guided by the wasteaware benchmark indicator framework, this article examined the extent of compliance with the nine key governance principles in the PPP framework. The results revealed that compliance with principles of competitiveness, accountability, transparency, and value for money was weak. There were also disconnections in policy focus and actions between national and local stakeholders. We argue that Ghana's case provides a good example for countries facing waste management problems by highlighting the void between theory and practice. It reinforces that waste governance in many countries has become a veritable buzzword, adopted uncritically to mask actions or inactions of key stakeholders who must comply with the agreed principles. The article contributes to the literature by enhancing the understanding of and expanding the World Bank's view that waste governance has a critically empowering character to ensure that the capacities and resources of waste management institutions match their responsibilities and desires.

Keywords

• Compliance
• Governance
• Public-private partnerships
• Waste management