The government of Ghana has initiated an emergency waste evacuation exercise along the Odaw River at Agbogbloshie in Accra. The exercise, led by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, with support from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), aims to rid the capital city of filth and prevent perennial flooding. Tonnes of waste have built up at the site and are being sent to the Adepa Engineered Landfill site at Nsawam in the Eastern Region.
President John Dramani Mahama visited the site to signal the official start of the evacuation exercise. He was accompanied by several ministers, including Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Road and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza, and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga. The President rallied stakeholders to play active roles in making the project successful in the national interest. He called on road contractors to support the operation with trucks and the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to support with fuel.
The President stated that clearing the site of waste would make way for the commencement of the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project. The recovered land will be used for an industrial park, with plans to establish a major textile factory to employ local people. He urged residents of Old Fadama and Agbogbloshie to cooperate with the military during the exercise, which will improve their living conditions. President Mahama also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the use of resources allocated for the exercise.
According to President Mahama, a drone artificial intelligence estimate puts the amount of garbage to be moved at one million tonnes. He estimated that if work goes on well, the site will be cleared within 90 days. The GAF will support efforts to protect the reclaimed land from encroachment, while metropolitan assemblies enforce their by-laws. President Mahama added that similar exercises will be carried out across the country where similar challenges persist.
Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga expressed his commitment to leading the effort to evacuate the waste and restore the ecosystem of the area. He acknowledged that the exercise will take time and cause some inconveniences to residents of Accra, but noted that it is necessary for the collective good. Mr Ayariga called on corporate Ghana to support the initiative by contributing financial and material resources.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson stated that the evacuation exercise is cost-effective, as machines acquired for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) will be used to evacuate the waste. He explained that portions of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) have been dedicated to fund the exercise. Dr Forson also assured that special allocation will be made in the 2027 budget for the construction of three landfill sites for effective waste management.
The emergency waste evacuation exercise in Accra is a significant step towards addressing the city's waste management challenges. The government's efforts to engage stakeholders and solicit support from corporate Ghana and the public are crucial to the success of the project. Key aspects of the project include the evacuation of one million tonnes of waste, the creation of an industrial park, and the construction of new landfill sites.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has started evacuating tonnes of waste built up along the Odaw River at Agbogbloshie to prevent perennial flooding and pave way for the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project.
- President John Dramani Mahama has called on stakeholders, including road contractors and Bulk Distribution Companies, to support the waste evacuation exercise with trucks and fuel.
- The exercise aims to clear one million tonnes of waste within 90 days and create an industrial park on the reclaimed land.
