{
  "id": 5044227,
  "title": "Let those who generate waste pay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/let-those-who-generate-waste-pay",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T07:23:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/let-those-who-generate-waste-pay/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's waste management crisis has become unsustainable, prompting the government to shift the financing model. The Kpone Landfill Site, now at capacity with a foul odor, exemplifies the consequences of inadequate waste management. The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced that waste management would no longer rely on public funds, instead demanding sanitation rates from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This approach is necessary as waste does not vanish after collection; it requires transportation, treatment, and safe disposal, all of which necessitate funding. Ayariga advocates against using the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to subsidize waste management, as it diverts resources from other parts of Ghana. However, the burden cannot solely fall on the public; the government and MMDAs must also fulfill their responsibilities. The Minister urges citizens to demand accountability from MMDAs, ensuring that collected sanitation revenues are accurately accounted for and allocated to essential services. Enforcing against illegal dumping and poor sanitation practices is crucial, and the government plans to launch a campaign against improper sanitation. However, public education must accompany enforcement efforts. Factories, companies, households, and other waste generators must recognize their role in maintaining a clean Ghana. The waste crisis transcends environmental concerns, impacting public health and development. The government must swiftly move from announcements to concrete actions, with MMDAs efficiently collecting sanitation rates, maintaining transparency, and delivering promised services. All stakeholders must pay their sanitation rates and acknowledge that waste management is a shared responsibility. Citizens, businesses, and property owners must no longer view waste management as a free service. Ultimately, a clean nation demands joint accountability. The Ghanaian Times calls for a national priority on sanitation, with cleanliness as a collective responsibility.",
  "summary": "The country’s worsening waste management crisis has reached a point where it can no longer afford to treat sanitation as somebody else’s responsibility. The situation at the Kpone Landfill Site, which has reached full capacity and has a strong stench hanging over it, is a worrying reminder of the consequences of years of inadequate and … The post Let those who generate waste pay appeared first on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}