The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a directive to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to identify suitable one acre plots of land for the establishment of waste transfer stations across Ghana. This directive was announced on October 3, 2026, during the National Sanitation Day exercise held at Rawlings Park in Accra.
The initiative is part of the government's plan to overhaul the country's waste management system and establish a more coordinated process for refuse collection, transfer, treatment, disposal and recycling. Every metropolitan, municipal and district assembly is expected to identify land measuring at least one acre for the proposed facilities.
The transfer stations will provide strategically located points where waste can be deposited before being transported in larger quantities to appropriate final disposal facilities. Particular attention will be given to major urban centres, including Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi and Sekondi Takoradi, where the volume of waste generated and the pressure on existing disposal infrastructure have created significant management challenges.
In addition to identifying land for transfer stations, MMDCEs in Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi and Sekondi Takoradi have been instructed to identify suitable locations for the development of properly engineered landfill facilities that will serve as final disposal points for collected waste.
According to Minister Ayariga, Ghana's persistent sanitation difficulties are partly attributable to inadequate infrastructure throughout the waste management chain, including shortages of waste collection bins, transportation equipment, transfer stations and properly engineered landfill facilities.
The government plans to develop an integrated waste management framework that addresses the problem from the point at which waste is generated through collection, transfer, treatment, recycling and eventual disposal. As part of the proposed reforms, households will be provided with two waste bins to facilitate separation of organic waste from other forms of solid waste at the source.
The Minister's approach to waste management will be guided by President John Dramani Mahama's directive to establish an effective and efficient national sanitation system. The government will also examine public expenditure to redirect resources towards sanitation infrastructure and engage the Finance Minister on measures to reduce unnecessary government expenditure and create additional fiscal space for investment in the waste management sector.
Key points
- The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has given MMDCEs 30 days to identify one acre plots of land for waste transfer stations.
- The government aims to establish a more comprehensive waste management system with adequate infrastructure at every stage, from household waste separation and collection to transfer, recycling and final disposal.
- Particular attention will be given to major urban centres, including Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi and Sekondi Takoradi.
