Accra: Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has emphasized the critical need for more waste transfer stations following a post-flood sanitation initiative. This drive has underscored the necessity for these facilities to maintain efficient refuse collection and avert potential public health emergencies.
According to Ghana News Agency, significant progress has been made since President John Dramani Mahama directed the opening of all waste transfer stations in Accra for free refuse evacuation after the July 29 and 30 floods. However, the current six facilities are insufficient to handle the volume of waste generated, particularly in the Greater Accra Region. Mr Ibrahim highlighted these issues during a visit to the Accra Compost and Recycling Station at Korle Bu with officials from the Jospong Group of Companies to evaluate post-flood measures.
The President's directive to suspend the weighing of refuse at transfer stations has considerably improved sanitation operations, speeding up waste removal from affected areas. Mr Ibrahim noted that this visit was part of preparations for upcoming briefings to the Council of State and President Mahama on the outcomes of the national sanitation intervention and the measures implemented post-floods.
Currently, only five of the six transfer stations are operational, with the Mallam Transfer Station closed due to inaccessible roads. Mr Ibrahim mentioned that completing the access road to the Mallam facility would alleviate the strain on other stations like Jamestown, which handles around 800 tricycles daily out of an estimated 4,000 in the region.
The proximity of the Korle Bu facility to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has created traffic management challenges due to long queues of tricycles, reinforcing the need for additional transfer stations to improve efficiency. The Minister acknowledged the role of the 24-hour sanitation model, which involves using articulated trucks to transport waste overnight to landfill sites in the Eastern Region, in preventing refuse accumulation post-floods.
The President's decision to allow free waste disposal has encouraged households to clear accumulated refuse, leading to increased volumes transported to transfer stations. Mr Ibrahim stressed the importance of strong public-private partnerships in sanitation management and the need for government investment in landfill sites, heavy equipment, logistics, and operational support for effective waste disposal.
He warned of the risks of communicable disease outbreaks if refuse accumulation persists and mentioned that the Minister for Finance has promised funds for developing an engineered landfill site, which is vital for strengthening the country's long-term waste management system. Mr Ibrahim expressed confidence in building a resilient sanitation system through sustained collaboration between the government and the private sector.
Mr John Bosco Avon, President of the Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association (BTTA), stated that the President's directive has benefited the Association by reducing fuel costs for waste transport to distant locations. With Accra lacking its own landfill site, the Jamestown Transfer Station has become crucial due to its proximity, making waste disposal more efficient.
Mr Avon highlighted the need to expedite the waste evacuation process, as delays lead to indiscriminate dumping due to residents' inability to dispose of waste promptly. He emphasized that additional transfer stations would significantly enhance waste collection efficiency and prevent indiscriminate dumping.