TITLE:
Consequences of Poor Landfill Management on the People of Gbalahi in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Northern Ghana
AUTHORS:
Tijani Inusah Iddrisu, Kwame Donkor Debrah
KEYWORDS:
Waste, Management, Landfill, Gbalahi, Sagnarigu
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.9 No.8,
August
30,
2021
ABSTRACT: The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) has become a matter of
great concern. As a result of this, there have been strenuous efforts at all
levels geared towards addressing this menace. Although there are several
methods of disposing of waste, landfills remain one of the outstanding
management systems in dealing with the growing quantum of generated municipal
solid waste. This study assessed the consequence of poor landfill management
from the perspective of the Gbalahi landfill in the Sagnarigu Municipality in
Northern Ghana. The study employed interviews to gather information from 103
households. The acquired data was supported by some secondary data from the
site management and the municipal environmental unit. The study revealed that
poor management of the facility has led to the breakdown of some major
components of the facility. It was also noted that the site poses a threat to
the health of the nearby communities owing to the uncontrolled dust, smoke, and
activities of vermin as well as scavengers. The study concludes the Ghalahi landfill in
its current state remains a threat to the health of the inhabitants of the
area. Poor management of equipment and failure
to adhere to best practices has exacerbated conditions of their operation
putting the health of the people in danger. Regular monitoring of the site by
the EPA and the local government authorities can help reduce the risk of exposure on the
nearby communities.