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Solid waste collection in Accra: The impact of decentralisation and privatisation
on the practice and performance of service delivery
Obirih-Opareh, N.
Publication date
2003
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Obirih-Opareh, N. (2003). Solid waste collection in Accra: The impact of decentralisation and
privatisation on the practice and performance of service delivery. Universiteit van
Amsterdam/AGIDS.
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Prefacee i Contentss v Listt of Tables x Listt of Figures xi Listt of Maps xi Listt of Plates xi 11 Introduction 1
1.11 The problem of solid waste collection in the context of
decentralisationn and privatisation 3 1.22 Problem statement, objectives and research questions 4
1.33 Relevance of the study 5 1.44 Structure of the study 6
1.4.11 Methodology 7 1.4.22 Structure of the research phases 8
1.4.33 Data processing and analysis 10 1.4.44 Limitations of the study 12 1.55 The study area (Accra metropolitan area) 15
1.5.11 Maj or characteristics of city of Accra 17
1.5.22 Research localities 19 1.66 Structure of the thesis 22
22 Decentralisation, Privatisation and the African State 25
2.11 Decentralisation 26 2.1.11 Defining the concept 26 2.1.22 The rationale for decentralisation 27
2.1.33 Critique on decentralisation policies 29
2.22 Privatisation 31 2.2.11 Defining the concept 31
2.2.22 The rationale for privatisation 32 2.2.33 Critique on privatisation policies 34 2.33 Ideological motivations for decentralisation and privatisation 37
2.44 The African State facing decentralisation and privatisation 39
SolidSolid Waste Collection in Accra 2.4.2 2 2.4.3 3 2.4.4 4 2.4.5 5 2.5 5 3 3 3.1 1 3.1.1 1 3.1.2 2 3.1.3 3 3.2 2 3.2.1 1 3.2.2 2 3.2.3 3 3.2.4 4 3.3 3 3.3.1 1 3.3.2 2 3.3.3 3 3.4 4 3.5 5 4 4 4.1 1 4.1.1 1 4.1.2 2 4.2 2 4.2.1 1 4.2.2 2 4.2.3 3 4.2.4 4 4.2.5 5 4.2.6 6 4.2.7 7 4.3 3 4.4 4 4.4.1 1 4.4.2 2
Thee impact of clientelism, favouritism and corrupt elites Thee state is incapable of fulfilling its development functions Thee impact of structural adjustment programmes on the state AA weak indigenous private sector
Conclusions s
Urbann Governance and the Environment Urbann management
Thee urban management concept
Thee building blocks of an urban management model Thee urban management model ideology
Urbann governance
Linkingg urban governance to urban management Partnershipss and new institutional arrangements Fromm privatisation to public-private partnerships Challengess for partnerships
Urbann management and the environment Comingg to terms with sustainable development
Locall responses to global demands for sustainable development Ecologicall footprints of cities
Urbann environmental management Conclusions s
Solidd Waste Management
Solidd waste management in theoretical perspective Conceptt and definitions
Typess of solid waste management studies Thee solid waste management system Householdd storage Collection n Transportation n Reuse e Recycling g Composting g Disposal l
Solidd waste management: an economic good Solidd waste collection: a public good
Linkagee of solid waste collection to decentralisation and privatisation n
Linkagee of solid waste collection to sustainable development
39 9 41 1 42 2 43 3 43 3 47 7 47 7 48 8 50 0 51 1 53 3 55 5 56 6 59 9 61 1 62 2 62 2 64 4 65 5 66 6 70 0 73 3 74 4 74 4 76 6 79 9 80 0 81 1 82 2 83 3 83 3 84 4 85 5 86 6 87 7 89 9 91 1 vi i
4.55 Conclusions 94
55 Decentralisation and Privatisation in Ghana Formal Rules and
Actuall Practices 97
5.11 General profile of Ghana 97 5.22 Historical perspectives of local government in Ghana 99
5.2.11 The main forms of local government administration in Ghana
priorr to 1988 102 5.2.22 The 1988 decentralisation reform 111
5.2.33 The privatisation of public services 125
5.33 Discussion 140 5.3.11 Critical notes on the privatisation process in Ghana 140
5.3.22 Decentralisation, privatisation, neo-liberalism and globalisation:
aa critique on their suitability 146 5.3.33 Retaining centralised structures 148
5.44 Conclusions 150
66 Solid Waste Management in Accra 153
6.11 Dimensions of the solid waste collection problem 154 6.1.11 The dilemma of estimated daily solid waste generation in Accra
forr planning 156 6.22 The solid waste cycle 158
6.2.11 Collection and transportation 159 6.2.22 Recycling of waste (recyclable items/materials) 160
6.2.33 Reuse of materials 164 6.2.44 Waste disposal of non-recyclable items/materials 165
6.33 Policy interventions in solid waste collection in AMA in the
recentt past 166 6.3.11 The PA YD system 166 6.3.22 Organisational changes in solid waste collection since 1988 166
6.3.33 Recent changes and developments 170 6.44 Current institutional arrangements in solid waste collection 171
6.55 Basic types and characteristics of solid waste collection 174
6.5.11 Primary storage 175 6.5.22 Mode of waste disposal and collection 176
6.5.33 Frequency 176 6.5.44 Technology 176 6.5.55 Coverage 177 6.5.66 Financial arrangements 178
SolidSolid Waste Collection in Accra
77 Attitudes and Perceptions Related to Solid Waste Management 183
7.11 Attitudes 183 7.1.11 The attitudes of residents 183
7.1.22 Attitudes of officials 185 7.22 Consumers' view of institutional arrangements in solid waste
collectionn 187 7.2.11 Solid waste collection problems 187
7.2.22 Appreciation of frequency 188 7.2.33 Appreciation of cleanliness 190 7.2.44 Desired improvements (household demand for improved services) 192
7.2.55 Payment of user fees 194 7.2.66 Appreciation of cost, willingness to pay more and
cross-subsidisationn 195 7.2.77 Affordability 198 7.2.88 Possible improvements 200
7.2.99 Views on privatisation 201
7.2.100 Other issues 202 7.33 Service providers' views on solid waste collection in Accra 203
7.3.11 General characteristics 204 7.3.22 Problems in waste collection 205 7.3.33 The profitability of services 206
7.3.44 Opinions 207 7.44 Policy makers' views on solid waste collection 207
7.4.11 Decentralisation 207 7.4.22 Privatisation 208 7.4.33 Institutional arrangements 208
7.4.4.. The policy makers' perceptions of house-to-house and collective
containerr collection arrangements 209
7.55 Conclusions 210 88 Performance Assessment of Institutional Arrangements in Solid
Wastee Collection in Accra 211 8.11 Motivating the choice for sustainable development assessment 211
8.22 The financial viability of the institutional arrangement 213
8.33 The quality of the collection service 216 8.44 Employment and labour conditions 217 8.55 Legal and social legitimacy 218 8.66 Prevention of illegal dumping and unhygienic practice 219
8.8 8 8.9 9 8.10 0 8.11 1 8.12 2 9 9 9.1 1 9.1.1 1 9.1.2 2 9.1.3 3 9.1.4 4 9.1.5 5 9.2 2 9.2.1 1 9.2.2 2 9.2.3 3 9.2.4 4 9.2.5 5 9.3 3 9.3.1 1 9.3.2 2 9.3.3 3 9.3.4 4 9.3.5 5 9.4 4 9.5 5 Summary y References s
Wastee minimisation, recycling and reuse 220 0
Thee relative importance of various institutional arrangements and
changess therein 221 Financiall viability of the solid waste collection system
Thee effectiveness of performance monitoring Conclusions s
Conclusionss and Recommendations
224 4 229 9 230 0 237 7 237 7
Answerss to the research questions
Magnitudee and major causes of solid waste collection problems
inn the Accra metropolitan area 238 Scopee and characteristics of the institutional arrangements for
solidd waste collection 242 Stakeholders'' perceptions and conflicting interests with regard to
thee arrangements in solid waste collection 243 Thee impact of decentralisation and privatisation policies in Ghana
onn the nature and performance of the institutional arrangements forr solid waste collection in Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)244 Thee contribution of the institutional arrangements in solid waste
collectionn to urban sustainable development 246 Linkingg the findings to the current theoretical debate
Thee drawbacks of decentralisation Privatee providers perform better Thee urban governance approach Thee partnership approach Thee guiding hand of the state
Policyy suggestions derived from the study Policyy design and implementation Changee in attitudes
Supervision,, monitoring, evaluating and coordination Thee viability of the system and increased funding Integratingg environmental concerns in planning Areass for new and additional research
Inn conclusion
Listt of abbreviations and acronyms Samenvatting g 249 9 249 9 250 0 252 2 253 3 255 5 256 6 257 7 257 7 257 7 258 8 261 1 261 1 262 2 265 5 273 3 305 5 307 7
