The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has announced a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s waste management system, following a thorough inspection of waste management facilities across the Greater Accra Region. The announcement comes amidst growing concerns over escalating refuse accumulation and the strain on existing infrastructure, particularly in urban centers. The Ministry’s response is a direct response to recent nationwide sanitation exercises and the observed increase in waste generation, prompting a significant shift in priorities within the long-term sanitation strategy.
Speaking during a working visit to the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP), currently utilized as a transfer station at Jamestown, the Minister emphasized the urgency of addressing this challenge. The inspection revealed five waste transfer stations – operating under the government’s recent measures – are operational, representing a significant step towards mitigating the impact of accumulated refuse. The Minister highlighted that the initiative follows a proactive assessment of waste volumes, driven by increased demands during national sanitation days and a broader commitment to preventing public health concerns.
As part of the emergency response, the government initiated temporary suspension of routine administrative procedures, including waste-weighing charges, to facilitate the efficient movement of refuse. The Minister explained that the intervention is designed to prevent a potential public health crisis. National Security, in collaboration with the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, has been tasked with constructing the access road to the Jamestown transfer station to facilitate its operations and alleviate pressure on existing facilities. The Minister stated that the Jamestown transfer station currently receives approximately 800 waste-collecting tricycles daily, representing a substantial volume of waste management activity.
To address concerns regarding traffic congestion at the facility, the government has implemented a 24-hour operational schedule, allowing tricycle operators to deliver waste during the day while articulated trucks transport compacted refuse overnight to landfill and recycling facilities in the Eastern Region. This shift reflects a broader strategy to optimize waste collection and disposal. The Minister disclosed that the government intends to continue relying on a public-private partnership model, arguing that modern waste management requires substantial investment in infrastructure, equipment, fuel, logistics, and technical expertise. The Jospong Group of Companies has provided additional equipment and operational support, facilitating the clearance of refuse while maintaining financial arrangements. The Minister further elaborated that the Ministry, working with its Chief Director, is developing a framework to regulate tricycle waste collectors, improve service delivery, and integrate them into the national sanitation system. The Ministry has also announced plans to incorporate informal tricycle waste collectors into the formal waste management system, recognizing their vital role in densely populated and low-income communities where conventional refuse collection vehicles face accessibility challenges. The government intends to engage the Council of State’s Sub-Committee on Sanitation, submit a Cabinet memorandum for policy approval, and collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to secure funding for engineered landfill sites and waste processing infrastructure.
Furthermore, the government has announced new fuel price floors effective August 4, and NHIA, NADMO, have registered flood victims in Tema Manhean for the National Health Insurance Scheme access.
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Source: Adom Online
