Former Mayor of Accra calls for economic value for plastic waste amid waste management concerns

Accra's former mayor has urged innovative measures to generate economic value from plastic waste amid persistent waste management issues in Ghana. This call follows the ongoing transfer of tons of waste from the Agbogbloshie area to the Adipa landfill in the Eastern Region, which has sparked resident opposition.

In an interview on Channel One TV, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah attributed part of Ghana's waste management problems to the lack of incentives for collecting and recycling plastic waste. He noted that metal waste is collected due to its economic value, while plastic waste lacks a similar financial motivation.

Sowah stressed the need to create economic value for plastic waste collection, sorting, and transportation. He suggested that those involved in these activities should be able to earn meaningful income from the work. Organic waste, he pointed out, is already being converted into useful resources. Food waste and leftovers from markets are collected and used as feed for livestock, turning waste into valuable organic manure.

However, Sowah identified plastic waste as the most pressing issue in Ghana's waste management efforts. The residents of the Adipa/Asiaw Electoral Area have threatened to block roads leading to the landfill if the government doesn't address their concerns within a seven-day ultimatum. They have raised alarms over garbage accumulation, offensive odors, and potential groundwater contamination, especially during rainfall.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, apologized for the disruptions caused by the waste transportation, particularly during nighttime when large trucks move en masse.