Ghana still needs landfills but Accra should prioritise waste-to-energy – Waste Care Associates CEO

Lukman Salifu, CEO of Waste Care Associates, clarified that Ghana still requires landfill sites despite the nation's push towards modern waste management technologies. He emphasized that the selection of waste treatment facilities should consider local factors, such as accessible land and transportation challenges, when managing refuse.

Commenting on Local Government Minister Mahama Ayarigah's demand for metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies to allocate land for waste transfer stations and landfill development, Salifu affirmed that landfills could still be viable in areas with suitable land and feasible transportation distances.

However, for Accra specifically, Salifu argued that authorities should prioritize waste-to-energy solutions. He advocated for a two-bin system to separate household waste into organic and inorganic streams, noting that nearly 60% of solid waste is organic. He explained that the separation could facilitate various treatment methods, including biomethanation for organic waste to generate biogas and incineration for inorganic waste, thus producing energy.

Salifu also suggested that assemblies should conduct a thorough infrastructure audit of sites previously designated for sanitation purposes to ascertain their availability, potential encroachments, or legal recovery options. If recovery is unfeasible, alternative solutions must be explored. He also clarified the distinction between communal container transfer stations and larger facilities geared towards transporting waste further, stating that communal sites could enable some sorting, while larger facilities could accommodate smaller collection vehicles.

Salifu viewed the minister's proposal as a return to a proven community planning strategy that could help enhance waste management practices.