Environmental information dissemination in Ghanaian waste management

Environmental information dissemination plays a key role in addressing waste management challenges and fostering sustainable environmental practices. However, communities in Ghana, particularly rural areas, often face challenges in accessing timely, accurate, and actionable information. These challenges include resource constraints, technological limitations, and misinformation, which hinder the adoption of sustainable practices. This study examines how environmental information is disseminated in Ghana, using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory to explore the stages of awareness, interest, and implementation. A qualitative case study approach was employed. The study focuses on Jamestown, a community in the Greater Accra Region, and involves interviews with 15 community members and 5 management officials from Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The thematic analysis revealed key environmental concerns such as water pollution, improper waste disposal, and air pollution that drive information-seeking behavior. While effective dissemination strategies can promote awareness and behavioral change, challenges such as limited accessibility, language challenges, and misinformation were found to reduce their impact. The study highlights the importance of tailored dissemination approaches that use both traditional and digital media, incorporate local languages, and address misinformation. These findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of environmental information dissemination and highlight strategies to empower communities toward sustainable waste management.