This document summarizes a MA thesis defense that explores the environmental threats associated with the indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste at the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana. The study finds that improper waste disposal leads to land pollution, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and water-borne disease outbreaks that threaten both the refugee and local host communities. Recommendations are made to address the deteriorating sanitary conditions through improved waste management programs.

1. Liberian Refugees in Ghana:
Environment Security Implications of the Discriminate Disposal of
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
MA Thesis Defense
Jenkins Divo Macedo
Presented to
Thesis Committee
Dr. Marianne Sarkis, Ph.D.
Dr. Anita Häusermann Fábos, Ph.D.
Dr. Jude Fernando, Ph.D.
26th March, 2012

2. Problem Statement
Municipal solid waste continue to be environmental threat at the BRS in
the midst of the UNHCR/NCS’s solid waste collection and disposal
system.
Research Question
This study explores what environmental threats are associated with the
indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the local
environment at the Buduburam Refugee Settlement (BRS).

3. Background of the Buduburam Refugee Settlement
 Gomoa-East District, Central Region, Ghana
 The settlement was established in 1990.
 Currently hosts about 11,000 Liberian refugees and others.
 2000 UNHCR/NCS established the MSW system at the camp
 UNHCR terminated all humanitarian services in 2003 and this impacted the
MSW program.

4. Methodology
 Data Collection
Mixed Methods Research
 Quantitative
o Survey
 Qualitative
o Free-list
o Pile Sorts
o Semi-Structure Interviews
o Focus Groups
 Geospatial
 MSW
 Digital Photograph

5. Ethical Consideration and Limitation
 Ethical Consideration
 IRB
 GRB Approval
 Limitations
 Time
 Tensions

6. Data Analysis
 Unit of Analysis
 Environmental threats of MSM disposal
 Quantitative Data
 SPSS Version 18
Qualitative Data
 Atlas.ti version 16.0
 Anthropac version 1.0
 Geospatial Data
 ArcGIS version 10.0
 Municipal Solid Waste
 IFEU GHG Emissions MS Excel Database System

7. Result & Discussion
1. Land Pollution
“The Central Region District Assembly
cannot help because the amount of solid
waste that is produced from the camp on a
daily basis surpass those that are produced
in other towns and as such DA does not
have the capacity to assist” (District Chief
of Gomoa-East, Environment and Health
Unit, Ministry of Environment, Ghana).
“Solid waste can be found in all
communities on this camp. Some refugees
just don’t care where waste is disposed.
This is a sign of lack of responsibility of
Liberian refugees” (Refugee in Focus
Group).

8. Results & Discussion, Continued....
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
 Disposed and 250,000
GHG emissions
recycled waste emits
200,000
219,604 tonne CO2-
eq/yr 150,000
tonne CO2-eq/yr
100,000
 Recycled waste saves
-6,028 tonne CO2- 50,000
eq/yr last year 0
 213,576 tonne of -50,000
Recycled waste Disposed of waste Total MSW
Debits
CO2-eq/yr from total Credits
2,189
-6,028
217,415
0
219,604
-6,028
MSW Net -3,839 217,415 213,576

9. Result & Discussion, Continued...
3. Water-borne Disease
“When it rains human fecal
contaminants get into the nearby
neighborhoods and water sources
causing the outbreak of
cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and other
water-borne diseases” (Follow-up
Interview with the Chief
Administrator, St. Gregory Catholic
Clinic).
“The cases of illnesses here at the camp are
very high. So, we do have new incidence
everyday of the week of sickness such as
malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhea
and measles” (Interview with a
Nurse, SGCC, Buduburam Refugee
Settlement).

10. Research Question Revisited
What environmental threats are associated
with the indiscriminate disposal of
municipal solid waste (MSW) in the local
environment at the Buduburam Refugee
Settlement (BRS).

11. Conclusions
 The indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste in the local environment at
the refugee camp threatens both refugees and local host communities to increase
vulnerability to the outbreak of water-borne diseases, increased emissions of GHG
and land pollution.
 The withdrawal and termination of all humanitarian assistance to the refugee
population exacerbates the deteriorating sanitary conditions at the camp.

12. How does my study relates to IDSC?
 Work with refugees and forced migrants
 Environmental threats impact refugees and host
relations.
 Develop programs to address environmental
threats in refugee settings

13. Next Step
 Sign and submit MA Thesis to Academic Affairs at IDCE
 Submit for publishing
 Consider exploring my data to see what next to what about.