An examination of the attitudes of traders towards environmental sanitation at the Hohoe Market in the Volta Region

Abstract

Attitude as a component of human behaviour is the pre-requisite for any action, and plays a dominant role in environmental sanitation. Unsustainable urbanization in Ghana has encouraged the increase in economic activities in various markets in urban settlements resulting in negative behaviours of people towards environmental sanitation in these markets. This study examines the attitudes of traders towards environmental sanitation at the Hohoe main market. It describes the general sanitation situations in the market, which include the facilities in the market, waste creation and waste disposal at the market. The attitudes of the traders towards sanitation in the market is also examined. Qualitative case study was used and the methods used in data collection included semi-structured in-depth interviews and observation. The key findings include: the attitudes of traders towards general sanitation in the Hohoe market were positive; traders were not satisfied with the management of waste in the market as a result of the Municipal Assembly’s lack of capacity in terms of financial, logistical and human resources to deal with the situation; and the Assembly has failed to enforce its bye-laws on sanitation making traders to litter and trade in filthy environment with impunity. Based on these findings, it has been suggested that the Assembly prioritizes the management of waste in the market through the provision of finance, logistics and personnel. It must also promote strict enforcement of the sanitation bye-laws through collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.