Abstract

This paper discusses urbanisation and changed lifestyles and to reveal whether or not there is a balance between these and environmental sustainability in Greater Accra-Ghana. Accra, over the years has become highly urbanised. Unfortunately, this urban growth has not been synonymous with salient development in the provision of basic necessities of its residents. The nature of Accra’s urbanisation has been characterised with demographic, socio-economic and environmental challenges. Accra, the capital city of the country is unfortunately battling the serious environmental challenges that have resulted from its urbanisation. It is really of a great worry as these issues usually result from the negligence and nefarious activities of the populace arising from such practices as indiscriminate disposal of wastes, de-vegetation, strain in services which aid in preserving urban environment thus resulting in unhygienic environmental conditions, with serious threats from destructive events such as flooding. This indicates that there has not been a balance between urbanisation, changed lifestyles and environmental sustainability in Accra and hence recommends that city authorities as well as the government of Ghana executes their duties professionally without shirking responsibilities due to political differences in order to ensure that environmental sustainability complements the rate of urbanisation in Accra.

Key Words:Urban sanitation, Sustainable development, Waste, Accra, Ghana