Civic Engagement and Environmental Sustainability in Asankrangwa in the Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined civic engagement in environmental initiatives in Asankrangwa in the Western Region of Ghana: The study particularly examined the current state of the youth and the assembly in civic engagement on environmental sustainability, the barriers to the initiatives of the youth and the assembly in civic engagement on environmental sustainability and how civic engagement affect sustainability of the physical environment in Asankrangwa. The study was underpinned by the social ecology theory. Data was gathered through focus group discussions, interviews and document analysis. The study showed that the current state of the youth and the assembly in civic engagement on environmental sustainability was a philanthropic gesture used to solve physical environmental needs of the community. It was found that social norms and peer pressure, fear of consequences and low self-esteem were the psychological barriers that inhibit the individual from participating, adopting and implementing environmental initiatives; externally, the barriers to the initiatives of the youth and the assembly in civic engagement on environmental sustainability were inadequate time, socioeconomic factors, inadequate information and inappropriate accountability. Furthermore, the study indicated that the assembly and the youth are making steady progress with regards to attaining sustainability of the physical environment in Asankrangwa through community environmental education, waste management and sanitation, food safety and security, vector control and disease prevention, technology and social media, enforcement and compliance, sustainability programs, community engagement and participation and data collection. The study recommend that the youth should engage the services of civic and environmental practitioners either as resource persons or consultants. It is also recommend that government should provide logistics to regulatory agencies to aid staff discharge their duties.