Agbogbloshie waste heap must go – Mahama Ayariga declares

Minister Mahama Ayariga pledged to spearhead a major operation to clear the colossal waste pile at Agbogbloshie, describing it as a national emergency demanding immediate attention. The sprawling waste accumulation, which Ayariga likened to a ten-story building, prompted him to make its removal one of his top priorities upon becoming the new sector minister. Following his initial visits to the site within his first week of assuming office, Ayariga emphasized his determination to ensure the waste heap is removed from Accra.

President John Dramani Mahama had instructed the Ministries of Local Government, Finance, Roads and Highways, and Defence to collaborate on devising a comprehensive plan for evacuating the entire waste heap. The government has already started mobilizing resources, involving the Ghana Armed Forces, Jospong Group, and private contractors.

To gauge the scope of the operation, technical teams were assigned to ascertain the precise volume of waste at the site, employing drones and artificial intelligence to map and estimate the size, thereby determining the necessary trucks, heavy-duty equipment, personnel, and other resources.

With approximately 200 dump trucks nationwide, Ayariga directed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to release available trucks, along with the requisite operators and drivers to aid in the evacuation. Despite the massive scale of the endeavor, Ayariga stressed that a coordinated national effort was essential, rather than entrusting the task solely to the local authority within whose jurisdiction Agbogbloshie falls.

The waste would be transported to an engineered landfill site off Nsawam Road, where it could be disposed of under controlled and environmentally sound conditions. Ayariga also contemplated operating the evacuation process around the clock to expedite the removal, pending final arrangements and presidential approval.

Ayariga acknowledged that the movement of hundreds of trucks from Accra to the proposed disposal site could create temporary inconveniences for motorists, particularly along the Accra-Nsawam route. However, he appealed to the public to accept the temporary difficulties as part of a collective effort to resolve a pressing national sanitation issue.

"Let all of us be inconvenienced by the problem, and if we are all sufficiently inconvenienced by the problem, the danger of reverting to the problem will be minimized," Ayariga underscored. He urged citizens to assume personal responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, emphasizing that a clean environment stems from consistent individual actions.

Ayariga also appealed to churches and other faith-based organizations to leverage their extensive networks and influence to promote sanitation, environmental protection, and responsible citizenship. The government is prepared to collaborate with religious organizations and other stakeholders to foster a culture where environmental cleanliness is viewed as a civic and moral responsibility.

Ayariga stressed that the Agbogbloshie operation should extend beyond merely clearing the existing heap, emphasizing the need to prevent recurrence through improved waste management practices and heightened public accountability.