Ayariga: Ghana Must Radically Improve Waste Management
Ayariga pushes for waste separation, improved infrastructure and new investment to transform sanitation across Ghana.
- Ayariga demands major waste management overhaul.
- Government plans household waste separation and improved transfer stations.
- BADEA signals support for Ghana’s sanitation transformation.
Newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s waste management system to improve collection, transportation, treatment and disposal.
Ayariga made the call on Tuesday, September 1, after touring key waste management facilities in the Greater Accra Region, including the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant, Achimota and Jamestown Waste Transfer Stations, and the Kpone landfill.
The tour formed part of his engagements to identify gaps in the waste management chain and explore investment opportunities to strengthen sanitation infrastructure.
The Minister said the current system has significant organisational and infrastructural gaps, particularly in waste collection and transportation.
He proposed introducing waste separation at the household level, with appropriate bins and receptacles to make collection and recycling more efficient.
Ayariga also called for transfer stations and treatment facilities to be located closer to communities to reduce the distance waste trucks travel and lower operational costs.
According to him, the technology and infrastructure needed to transform waste management already exist, but better organisation is required.
He further disclosed that the government is exploring investment opportunities with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance improvements across the waste management chain.
Ayariga also announced plans to apply the polluter-pays principle, under which individuals and property owners would contribute towards the cost of managing the waste they generate.
He, however, assured households that improved efficiency could significantly reduce waste collection costs, potentially by as much as 50%.
Meanwhile, BADEA Vice President for Operations and Secretary General, Dr Fatima Elsheikh, expressed readiness to support Ghana’s efforts, describing waste management as an opportunity to create jobs, improve livelihoods and drive economic development.
