Understanding ‘Bad Governance’ in the urban south: a case study of solid waste management in Ghana

Despite a substantial and growing literature on governance, dominant narratives remain centered on the Global North, creating significant gaps in understanding the distinct challenges of urban Southern contexts. Addressing this imbalance, our study investigates the concept and prevalence of ‘bad governance’ within urban Southern contexts. This concept is examined through a case study of solid waste management in a rapidly urbanizing African city. Employing a qualitative methodology of in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, the research posits that bad governance manifests in distinct ways in the urban South, shaped by unique socioeconomic and political realities. Prevalent characteristics include institutional weaknesses, systemic corruption, enduring colonial legacies, influential informal power structures, divergent socio-cultural attitudes, and pervasive ecological neglect. The analysis scrutinizes the roles of local government, informal waste pickers, formal and informal institutions, and communities, uncovering the systemic issues that perpetuate bad governance and hinder sustainable urban development. The findings underscore the necessity of collaborative and polycentric governance, particularly in contexts characterized by weak or, in some cases, absent formal structures. This study illuminates the specific challenges confronting the urban Global South and offers critical insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to improve urban governance and foster sustainable urban futures.