Government mobilises equipment to clear waste from Korle Lagoon enclave

For decades, mountains of waste have accumulated in the Korle Lagoon enclave, creating significant environmental and public health issues. The government has decided to mobilize equipment and resources to clear the waste and restore the area. The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced that the government would utilize over 100 trucks, along with excavators, dozers, and loaders, sourced from both public institutions and the private sector.

Ayariga stated that the government would initially utilize its own equipment before seeking assistance from contractors during weekends when some machinery might be idle. He emphasized that the government does not intend to pay contractors but rather seeks their equipment and operational capacity for the task. Contractors could be allocated specific volumes of waste based on their capacity, and the approach would extend to major mining and industrial companies as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The immediate priority is to determine the exact volume of waste accumulated at the site, followed by planning the evacuation process. Zoomlion, a private company, has offered technical assistance, using drones to measure the waste volume. This data will help the government plan the evacuation more effectively and determine the quantity each contractor or participating company can contribute.

The government's goal is to demonstrate Ghana's ability to tackle its sanitation challenges head-on. Ayariga hopes that clearing the Korle Lagoon enclave will inspire citizens to take responsibility for waste management around their homes, shops, and workplaces. The exercise will involve an inter-ministerial effort, with the government planning to relocate the waste to the Adepa Waste Management Centre at Nsawam in the Eastern Region.