Nsawam Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh has expressed concerns over the government's decision to dump waste from Agbogbloshie near Nsawam. He claims that leachate from the waste is poisoning water tables in the area, posing a risk to residents, plants, and animals. Annoh-Dompreh made these allegations in a social media post on 21 September 2026, accompanied by video and photographs of the runoff flowing into the community.
The waste in question was evacuated from the Odaw River area at Agbogbloshie in Accra as part of a clean-up exercise that began on 18 September 2026. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is leading the exercise with support from the Ghana Armed Forces. The goal is to rid Accra of filth and tackle perennial flooding during the rainy season. President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the clean-up will pave the way for the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project.
Annoh-Dompreh directly addressed President Mahama in his post, asking why the government was exacerbating the situation for residents of Adepa, Nsumia, and surrounding communities. He warned that his people would resist the government's move, citing a lack of consultation with stakeholders before transporting the waste to the landfill site. The MP described the exercise as "waste being hurled and dumped on the community without engagement."
The dispute over the waste dumping centers on drinking water and farming for residents of Adepa, Nsumia, and neighboring communities near Nsawam. If Annoh-Dompreh's claims are true, households relying on groundwater in the area face contamination risks, while farmers keeping livestock or growing crops near the landfill could see their livelihoods affected. The clean-up effort is tied to reducing flooding and redeveloping the Agbogbloshie area into an industrial site with promised employment opportunities.
Annoh-Dompreh's allegations have not been directly responded to by the government, and it is unclear if an independent assessment of the leachate and water quality near Nsumia has been ordered. The MP has stated that his constituents intend to resist further dumping in the coming weeks, but no specific date for any action, consultation, or government response has been given.
The Agbogbloshie clean-up exercise and the government's plans for the area have significant implications for Ghanaians. The recovered land is earmarked for an industrial park that would include a major textile factory intended to create jobs. However, the concerns raised by Annoh-Dompreh and his constituents highlight the need for careful planning and stakeholder engagement in the project's implementation.
The situation remains tense, with Annoh-Dompreh and his constituents preparing to resist further dumping. The government faces pressure to address the concerns of the affected communities and ensure that the clean-up exercise and urban renewal project are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Key points
- MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh criticizes President Mahama over the dumping of Agbogbloshie waste near Nsawam.
- Annoh-Dompreh claims that leachate from the waste is poisoning water tables in the area.
- The government faces resistance from Annoh-Dompreh and his constituents over the waste dumping and urban renewal project.
