From engineered landfill to uncontrolled dumpsite: situational analysis, extent of buffer zone encroachment and challenges of the Oti Landfill, Kumasi, Ghana

Uncontrolled urbanization and increasing waste generation continue to threaten the sustainability of cities in the global south. This study assessed the sustainable management challenges and extent of encroachment into the buffer of the Oti Landfill Site (OLS). The study involved the interview of the manager of the OLS, the traditional leader of the area, and 73 households that live within a 500-meter buffer of the landfill site. The spatial analysis showed that the buffer has been encroached by residential land uses, with a total of 1125 housing units developed in the buffer of the landfill site. Due to the encroachment, neighborhoods around the landfill site are exposed to several risks, and this includes exposure to gaseous pollutants. The results of the study further showed that despite the fact that the houses are located within the buffer of the OLS, the majority (68%) of these houses have building permits. This study underscores the need for strategic waste management policy interventions to address the environmental and health challenges posed by the OLS. The study therefore recommends the implementation of recycling, reduction, reuse, and recovery (4Rs) waste management practices in Kumasi. By leveraging a multi-faceted approach, this framework optimizes waste reduction and minimizes pressure on the OLST. The strategic prioritization of 4Rs practices tailored to local contexts, implementation of monitoring systems to track progress and adapt strategies, and continuous education and community engagement for sustained behavioral change. Furthermore, efficient environmental monitoring and compliance strategies are required for buffer zone protection.