President Mahama commissions evacuation of waste heaps from Agbogbloshie to Adepa Engineered Landfill Site

President John Dramani Mahama has officially commissioned the relocation of waste heaps from Agbogbloshie in Accra to the Adepa Engineered Landfill Site near Nsawam in the Eastern Region. This significant task is being carried out by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in partnership with the Ghana Armed Forces and the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP), with support from the Ministry of Finance and District Assemblies Common Fund.

Estimates suggest that the waste amounts to approximately one million tonnes, with the entire operation slated to be completed within a 90-day timeframe.

Mahama emphasized that this operation marks a critical milestone in the government's commitment to restoring order, enhancing sanitation, and repurposing the area for the benefit of its inhabitants. The initiative underscores the government's ability to utilize its resources effectively to address longstanding sanitation issues. Heavy machinery, including tipper trucks, excavators, bulldozers, and wheel loaders, procured under the DRIP programme, will be instrumental in executing this mission.

The collaboration extends beyond traditional government functions, with the Ghana Armed Forces, especially the 48 Engineer Regiment, contributing operational and engineering support. This involvement reflects a broader strategy to utilize military resources for emergency operations and national development projects. President Mahama highlighted that the evacuation is part of a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the area, addressing public health and environmental hazards linked to open dumping and burning.

Once the waste is cleared, it will be transported to the Adepa Engineered Landfill Site for safe disposal, compaction, and covering under strict environmental standards. President Mahama stressed the importance of handling the entire process—excavation, loading, transport, and disposal—with utmost care to safeguard residents, road users, and surrounding communities.

The bulk of the haulage is planned to occur at night, aligning with the government's initiative to promote a 24-Hour Economy, while limited activity will continue during daytime hours.

Mahama called on residents of Old Fadama and Agbogbloshie to cooperate fully with the military, DRIP operators, and assembly teams involved in the project. He assured that the operation's primary objective is to safeguard the health and dignity of the people while paving the way for a brighter future for their children. This effort is a testament to the government's dedication to improving the living conditions of the community and fostering economic development in the area.