1 Governance Crisis or Attitudinal Challenges? Generation, Collection, Storage and Transportation of Solid Waste in Ghana Oteng-Ababio Martin University of Ghana Ghana 1. Introduction Waste is a continually growing problem at global, regional and local levels and one of the most intractable problems for local authorities in urban centers. With continuous economic development and an increase in living standards, the demand for goods and services is increasing quickly, resulting in a commensurate increase in per capita waste generation (Narayana, 2008). In most developing countries, the problem is compounded by rapid urbanization, the introduction of environmentally unfriendly materials, changing consumer consumption patterns, lack of political commitment, insufficient budgetary allocations and ill motivated (undedicated) workforce. In Ghana, deficiencies in solid waste management (SWM) are most visible in and around urban areas such as Accra, Tema and Kumasi where equally important competing needs and financial constraints have placed an inordinate strain on the ability of the authorities to implement a proper SWM strategy in tandem with the rapid population growth. Consequently, most of the urban landscape is characterized by open spaces and roadsides littered with refuse; drainage channels and gutters choked with waste; open reservoirs that appear to be little more than toxic pools of liquid waste; and beaches strewn with plastic garbage. The insidious social and health impact of this neglect is greatest among the poor, particularly those living in the low-income settlements (UN-Habitat, 2010). The provision of such environmental services had typically been viewed as the responsibility of the central government. However, the costs involved, coupled with the increasing rate of waste generation due to high urban population growth rates, have made it difficult for collection to keep pace with generation, thus posing serious environmental hazards. Apart from the unsightliness of waste, the public health implications have been daunting, accounting for about 4.9% of GDP (MLGRD, 2010a). Data from the Ghana Health Service indicate that six (6) out of the top ten (10) diseases in Ghana are related to poor environmental sanitation, with malaria, diarrhea and typhoid fever jointly constituting 70%- 85% of out-patient cases at health facilities (MLGRD, 2010a). Launching a National Campaign against Malaria in 2005, a Deputy Minister of Health noted that “malaria remains the number one killer in the country, accounting for 17,000 deaths, including 2,000 pregnant women and 15,000 children below the age of five”, a quarter of all