ABSTRACT In the present investigation, a thorough examination of waste composition was undertaken in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. The methodology employed was carefully designed, incorporating both commercial and residential sectors as well as various socio-economic classes. Source-based sampling of waste materials covered a range of locations, including households, markets, hotels, and restaurants, while socio-economic-based categorization followed the zoning of the metropolis. Waste audit sampling involved collecting a total of 90 batches of solid waste over the three-month period from August to October 2023. The primary objectives were to physically characterize the waste and evaluate its chemical properties through proximate and ultimate analysis of waste fractions, aiming to determine the waste-to-energy potential and compatibility with waste-to-energy technologies. The study revealed that the Tamale Metropolis generates 176.1 tons/day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at a rate of 0.47 kg/capita/day. Organic matter constituted the majority (44.9%), followed by inert, miscellaneous, and plastic waste at 20% each. The remaining 14.3% comprised paper, metal, glass, leather, and textile components. Notably, the hospitality sector exhibited the highest organic matter content at 62.3%, contrasting with average households and markets at 44.9% and 13.1%, respectively. Moisture content ranged from 5.4% to 12.6%, volatile solids from 21.8% to 77.2%, and gross calorific values from 7.9 MJ/kg to 28.9 MJ/kg. Household waste demonstrated the highest energy content at 6693.8 kcal/kg, followed by hotels/restaurants (2003.94 kcal/kg) and markets (1883.62 kcal/kg). This study’s findings offer valuable insights that can inform the development of effective policies by regulatory bodies such as the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, as well as city authorities like the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency. These insights can be used to address waste and energy challenges in the metropolis. Implication Statement:The findings from this comprehensive investigation on waste composition in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana, hold significant implications for various stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Firstly, the waste-to-energy potential identified in the study underscores the importance of considering diverse waste fractions in the development of sustainable municipal waste management strategies. The significant proportion of organic matter, especially in the hospitality sector, highlights opportunities for energy recovery. For regulatory bodies such as the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, these results provide critical insights into the composition and energy content of municipal waste. The data on gross calorific values for different waste sources can inform the formulation of policies and regulations pertaining to the development of waste-to-energy technologies. Additionally, city authorities, including the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency, can leverage these findings to enhance waste management practices within the metropolis. Tailoring interventions based on the observed variations in waste composition across sectors can lead to more effective and targeted waste reduction initiatives. Moreover, the study’s timeframe of data collection to contribute to the reliability of the results, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and adaptation of waste management strategies over time. In conclusion, this research serves as a valuable resource for shaping policies and practices related to waste-to-energy technologies and sustainable municipal waste management. It provides a foundation for evidence-based decision-making by key stakeholders, fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious approach to waste management in the Tamale Metropolis.