Photos: Mahama commissions evacuation of Agbogbloshie waste to Nsawam landfill

President John Dramani Mahama has officially initiated the relocation of waste amassed at Accra's Agbogbloshie to the Adepa Engineered Landfill Site in the Eastern Region. This move is part of the government's National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise, aimed at tackling severe sanitation and waste management issues across Ghana.

The Agbogbloshie operation is projected to dispose of around one million tonnes of waste over 90 days, according to a drone-assisted AI evaluation of the waste mound. The effort is spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, alongside the Ghana Armed Forces and the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).

The Ministry of Finance foots the bill, supplemented by contributions from the District Assemblies Common Fund. Robust machinery, such as tipper trucks, excavators, bulldozers, and wheel loaders, procured through DRIP, is being utilized to excavate, transport, and deposit the waste at the engineered landfill in Adepa. The Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the 48 Engineers Regiment, are also lending their expertise to ensure the operation's success.

Mahama emphasized the military's role in addressing not just security concerns but also emergency and national development needs. The waste will be moved about 42 kilometers to the Adepa site for controlled disposal, compaction, and covering under stringent environmental protocols. Mahama stressed the importance of meticulous handling throughout the operation to safeguard residents, road users, and surrounding communities.

Major hauling activities are scheduled to occur at night to minimize disruption and facilitate the transportation of substantial waste amounts, with some work continuing during daylight hours. The President also highlighted the exercise's aim to address longstanding health and environmental worries related to waste accumulation and open dumping in the Agbogbloshie region.

Post-evacuation, the government plans to revitalize the reclaimed land through the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project, which includes creating an industrial park and establishing a major textile factory to generate employment opportunities. Mahama directed that safeguards be put in place to prevent the site from reverting to a dumping ground after the evacuation.

He stressed that the exercise's long-term success hinges not only on the removal of existing waste but also on safeguarding the cleared area from new dumping activities.