Abstract
Ghana lags behind the Millennium Development Goals’ target for sanitation, despite widespread effort by the central government. Most households in peri-urban communities in Ghana lack improved sanitation facilities, and access to faecal sludge disposal sites is also problematic. This study investigates farmers’ attitude and perception toward excreta reuse for peri-urban agriculture in Shai-Osudoku district, Ghana. Data were collected on 400 randomly selected respondents using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study found that a majority of the respondents ‘disagree’ that excreta are a waste and are willing to use excreta as fertilizer, although a majority ‘agrees’ that excreta can pose health risks. Perceptions toward excreta reuse for agricultural purpose however differ among households. There is the need for more open discussions on the benefits and risks of excreta reuse in agriculture; this could help enrich farmers’ knowledge on the appropriate use of excreta as fertilizer. Further research on the factors that influence farmers’ decision to use excreta as fertilizer and their perceptions on the health risks is recommended. Key words: Sanitation, excreta reuse, farmers’ perception, peri-urban agriculture, Ghana.
Highlights
Most households in peri-urban communities in Ghana lack access to improved sanitation such as improved household latrines
The demand for improved sanitation for most households in peri-urban communities may not be high until other needs such as housing, water, farming, and schooling are met (Card and Sparkman, 2010)
The average age of about 43 years of the respondents was found to be almost similar to the national average of 45 years for farmers in Ghana
Summary
Most households in peri-urban communities in Ghana lack access to improved sanitation such as improved household latrines. Monitoring Project (JMP), an improved toilet facility is one that hygienically separates human excreta from human contact, and includes: flush/pour-flush to piped sewer system, septic tank and pit latrine; ventilated improved pit latrine (VIP); and composting toilet (WSMP, 2009). Anecdotal evidence suggests that the few public toilets in peri-urban communities in Ghana are being over-utilised and poorly managed. The sewer excreta systems, such as flush latrines, are rare due to the high costs and scarce water resources. The demand for improved sanitation for most households in peri-urban communities may not be high until other needs such as housing, water, farming, and schooling are met (Card and Sparkman, 2010). Studies have shown that households may benefit more
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