Ghana's government will clear more than 30 years of accumulated waste from the Korle Lagoon and its surrounding areas. This significant environmental undertaking aims to improve sanitation in the capital city, Accra. The collected refuse will be transported to a 200-acre landfill located in Nsawam, Eastern Region.
The initiative follows a direct order from President John Dramani Mahama to address the long-standing waste problem. Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, confirmed the plans. This large-scale operation will involve moving waste that has piled up from the Korle-Bu waste management plant to Otabil’s church. It also includes refuse accumulated on the opposite side of the lagoon, where squatters have settled.
This waste clearance project fits into Ghana's broader efforts to manage urban waste and improve public health. Accra, like many rapidly growing African cities, faces significant challenges with waste disposal and environmental pollution. Addressing the Korle Lagoon backlog is crucial for reclaiming valuable urban land and reducing health risks. Previous attempts to clean up the lagoon have faced various obstacles, making this current effort particularly important for the city's future development.
Mr. Ayariga stated that discussions have involved key government officials, including the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza. The Minister of Defence, Mr. Gilbert Kenneth Adjei, and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, also participated. These discussions focused on logistics and funding for the massive waste evacuation exercise. The Jospong Group of Companies, through its Adipa Waste Management Centre, will play a central role in receiving the waste.
The government plans to engage major contractors from the Greater Accra and Eastern regions. These contractors will provide necessary trucks, equipment, and other logistical support for the operation. The Ministry of Defence is expected to finalise a programme for moving the waste, which may involve temporarily closing roads. Military personnel will also be stationed at James Town after the evacuation to prevent new encroachment on the cleared land. Dr. Forson reportedly has plans for the area once it is clean.
The Adipa Waste Management Centre, operated by the Jospong Group, has ample capacity for the incoming waste. Mr. Richard Omani-Mensah, the Operations Manager, confirmed the facility operates 24 hours a day. It can receive over 3,000 tonnes of waste daily. Currently, the centre processes between 800 and 900 tonnes at night and 700 to 800 tonnes during the day. This capacity ensures the landfill can handle the significant volume from Korle Lagoon. The scarcity of land in Accra and rapid urban development necessitated the landfill's location. The centre also plans an integrated waste management facility at Agomeda in the Shai Osudoku District. Waste pickers at the landfill also contribute by recovering recyclable materials, extending the landfill's lifespan and creating jobs.