Urbanization And Public Health In Sub-Sahara Africa

1038 Words5 Pages

INTRODUCTION
In the past few decades, the process of urbanization has accelerated mainly in cities coping with Informal Hyper growth (UN-Habitat, 2012) most of which are located in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). These cities are characterized by rapid population growth, both through migration and natural increase; an economy heavily dependent on the informal sector; very extensive poverty, with widespread informal housing areas; basic problems of the environment and of public health; and difficult issues of governance (Hall, 2007). Oteng-Ababio (2014) conceives that as the world hurtles towards its urban future with the world’s urban population increasing by two new people every second, and with 95 per cent of such increases taking place in cities …show more content…

It is estimated that about 1800 tonnes of waste is generated daily, out of which 70% is collected. The rest are left on the streets with its own attendant problems (Owusu-Sekyere et al., 2014). The collected wastes are sent to the many dumpsites without any attempt to seclude. These dumps are not operated in accordance with the principles of public health as opined by Tchobanaglous in 1993 and therefore public health of the waste dump communities is threatened. Though Kumasi has not witnessed cholera outbreaks for a long while, the frequent occurrence of diarrhea, malaria and other diseases related to the environment can be traced to the poor sanitation. For example, reports from the Metropolitan Health Directorate indicate that about 80% of all diarrhea cases come from communities where waste management is a …show more content…

This will however mean that a lot of public education and stakeholder sensitization programs will have to be done if these innovations are to see a better day of light. It also remains to be seen how the viability of a smooth transition from Communal Collection Container system mode used in low-income, high density areas to house-to-house mode of waste collection will be received in the already impoverish and underserved communities where keeping pace with livelihood survival has become a daily struggle.
This paper specifically examines the current waste management practices in the KMA. The deficits of current practices will be explored and finally what can be the best practice for Kumasi in particular and its implications for Ghana in general will be discussed. The significance of this study is the strong case it makes for complete local participation in the planning and implementation of sold waste managemement strategies in Kumasi in particular and Ghana in

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