THE KORLE LAGOON IN DISTRESS THE STRESS OF

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THE KORLE LAGOON IN DISTRESS; THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE IN ACCRA, GHANA.

THE KORLE LAGOON IN DISTRESS; THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE IN ACCRA, GHANA. AGLANU MAWULI LESLIE AND DIVINE ODAME APPIAH DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI GHANA GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE 2012 KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI 1 ST TO 4 TH August, 2012

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction � The stress of urban solid waste � Profile of study

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction � The stress of urban solid waste � Profile of study area � Methodology � Results and discussions � Conclusion � Recommendation �

INTRODUCTION The rapid urbanization in coastal areas particularly in Accra have far exceeded the

INTRODUCTION The rapid urbanization in coastal areas particularly in Accra have far exceeded the capacity of metropolitan authorities to cope with its attendant environmental stress. It is estimated that throughout the country only about 10% of solid wastes generated are properly disposedoff annually.

THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE The catchment of Korle lagoon has been associated

THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE The catchment of Korle lagoon has been associated high population density with intensive land use (Kakari et al 2006). The increase in uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization has resulted to the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste. (Porter et al. , 1997: 9; Chazan, 2002: 1; Wetherall, 2003: 1). The recent proliferation of plastic bags for packaging have seriously aggravated the negative impact of solid waste menace.

UNCONTROLLED AND UNPLANNED URBANIZATION

UNCONTROLLED AND UNPLANNED URBANIZATION

THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE CONT. The Lagoon is heavily silted, the outlet

THE STRESS OF URBAN SOLID WASTE CONT. The Lagoon is heavily silted, the outlet is often blocked and the water fails to flow into the sea fast enough to avoid becoming stagnant (Boadi and Kuitunene, 2002). The shallowness and grossly polluted state of the lagoon has rendered it unsuitable for economic activities since the 1960’s (Biney and Amuzu, 1995; Abraham et al. , 2006). In 1995 the International Development Research Center referred to it as “one of the most polluted places on earth”

PROFILE/MAP OF THE STUDY AREA

PROFILE/MAP OF THE STUDY AREA

METHODOLOGY � Quantitative and qualitative research method both field and secondary data were used.

METHODOLOGY � Quantitative and qualitative research method both field and secondary data were used. � Sampling Design: A simple random sampling technique was used to select 124 respondents from a population of 962, 183 (GSS, 2000) using a sample size formula by (Gomez and John, 2010) � Survey mechanism: ü Partially Pre-Coded Questionnaire, ü Key Informants Interviews with WMD & AMA ü Laboratory analysis of water samples for: TSS, TDS, DO, p. H, Eutrophic levels and Heavy metals etc,

THEORETICAL MODEL OF THE STUDY Adapted and modified from Barder, 2012

THEORETICAL MODEL OF THE STUDY Adapted and modified from Barder, 2012

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Ghana generates about 4. 5 million metric tons of solid waste

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Ghana generates about 4. 5 million metric tons of solid waste annually but only about 10% of it is properly disposed-off (Mensah, 2005). Statistics provided by the EPA in 2000, showed that the AMA, was only able to collect about 55% of solid waste generated within the city (EPA, 2000). Accra generates 2, 500 tonnes of solid waste per day but only 1, 500 tonnes are collected at community waste collection points (WMD, 2012)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONT. � About 60 percent of AMA live in the catchment

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONT. � About 60 percent of AMA live in the catchment of the Korle Lagoon (Abraham et al. , 2006). � About 76. 6% and 55. 5% of the population in the catchment of the Korle lagoon generates sachets/plastics and organic matter respectively daily. � 34. 7% use public waste collection containers � 65. 3% uses “bola men” and open dump sites

COMMUNITY WASTE COLLECTION POINTS

COMMUNITY WASTE COLLECTION POINTS

AN OPEN DUMPSITE BY THE KORLE LAGOON

AN OPEN DUMPSITE BY THE KORLE LAGOON

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONT. Solid waste disposal at pubic places � 14% in public

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONT. Solid waste disposal at pubic places � 14% in public litter bins � 30% by littering � 56% dispose-off their solid waste in drains/gutters

THE KORLE LAGOON ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROJECT (KLERP)

THE KORLE LAGOON ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROJECT (KLERP)

CONCLUSIONS Ø High Population pressure and negative attitude towards the environment Ø Poor maintenance

CONCLUSIONS Ø High Population pressure and negative attitude towards the environment Ø Poor maintenance culture Ø Waste management companies have mainly been engaged in collection and semi-controlled dumping. Ø Lack of funds and the difficulty in acquiring land for disposal

RECOMMENDATIONS v Promotion of the use of paper bags as well as public education

RECOMMENDATIONS v Promotion of the use of paper bags as well as public education by the AMA and the EPA v The government in collaboration with the waste management companies should provide adequate public waste facilities and ensure frequent collection and proper disposal v Capable companies should empower by the government to create ready markets for recyclable solid wastes v Government should contract competent companies to carry out frequent dredging of the lagoon

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Will Accra without filth be a reality or a mirage and

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Will Accra without filth be a reality or a mirage and will the Korle lagoon still be called a lagoon in the next decade ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDIENCE