Awareness and willingness of house owners to use bio digesters as alternative source of energy and disposal of human excreta a case study of Kumasi metropolis

Abstract

Despite the advantages of using biodigester as a means of disposing human excreta, the use of traditional septic tanks still abounds in Ghana. This study therefore sought to assess the level of awareness and willingness of landlords to adopt biodigester as alternative source of energy and disposal of human excreta in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study employed a descriptive cross sectional survey design with a mixed method approach.300 landlords from three selected communities in Kumasi as well as three biogas contractors were conveniently selected for the study. Questionnaire and interview were main data collection tools for this study. The data collected was analysed using SPSS and presented with descriptive statistics. The results show a low level of awareness of landlords in the Kumasi Metropolis on biodigesters as better alternative to septic tanks in the disposal of human excreta. Factors that challenge development of biogas production in Kumasi Metropolis include inadequate funding, lack of qualified personnel to handle biodigester construction and lack of funds to undertake the project by most houseowners. The government as well as NGOs, individuals, companies who are engaged in biogas have not helped greatly in creating adequate awareness on the need to use biogas in households. It is imperative for abled house owners to adopt the right attitudinal change towards biogas use in households since it has potential to help in saving cost and thus solve most of our sanitation problems resulting from the use traditional septic tanks.