Kumasi needs 4 to 5 waste transfer stations – ESPA

Ama Ofori Antwi, Executive Secretary of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), has cautioned against the government's proposal to establish waste transfer stations at five-kilometre intervals across Ghana. While acknowledging the merit of the plan, Mrs Ofori Antwi stressed the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement and proper land mapping before implementation.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on October 6, 2026, she questioned the availability of sufficient land for the proposed facilities, noting that landowners would likely resist leasing properties for waste transfer stations, especially those situated near their homes or communities. The proposal, unveiled by Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, during a National Sanitation Day exercise on October 3, 2026, aims to integrate waste collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling processes.

However, Mrs Ofori Antwi warned that applying the five-kilometre spacing without considering local conditions could result in overcrowding and nuisance in surrounding communities. She advocated for prioritising densely populated areas based on population density and community needs, rather than adhering to a uniform five-kilometre spacing for station placement.