Martin Oteng-Ababio
Professor in urban geography and the Head of Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana
In the quest for effi cient waste management system in Ghana, authorities’ ‘waste war’ adjudication strategies have ignored the historical focus on socially all-inclusive planning designs. Instead, approaches adopted so far unduly promote a market-led agenda making the public good nature of waste largely ignored. A careful consideration of how each society engages with service provision and its normative dimensions should be put at the centre of waste policies.
Such approach transcends ideology and institutional exigencies and moves towards the realm of practical reason, everyday ethics, and embodied practice. Until the evidence—along with institutional and financial instruments—shows otherwise, city authorities’ will do well to integrate proven innovative management practices taking place ‘in their backyard’.
