{
  "id": 8666259,
  "title": "President Mahama commissions National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise at Agbogbloshie",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/president-mahama-commissions-national-emergency-waste-evacuation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T10:21:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghana Business News",
    "slug": "ghana-business-news",
    "url": "https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2026/09/20/president-mahama-commissions-national-emergency-waste-evacuation-exercise-at-agbogbloshie/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated a major operation aimed at clearing the Agbogbloshie area of Accra, Ghana, where substantial waste has accumulated. The National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise at Agbogbloshie will transfer the site to the Adepa Engineering Landfill Site near Nsawam. The undertaking, involving heavy machinery and personnel from government agencies, the Ghana Armed Forces, and private sector entities, anticipates the removal of approximately one million tonnes of waste within 90 days.\n\nThe Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs spearheads the initiative, backed by the Ghana Armed Forces, specifically the 48 Engineers Regiment and the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP). During the commissioning, President Mahama emphasized that the accumulated waste jeopardizes public health and environmental well-being, impacting communities near Old Fadama, Agbogbloshie, and Abossey Okai. Additionally, it contributes to pollution of the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon, exacerbating flooding risks.\n\nThe government procured DRIP equipment, including tipper trucks, excavators, bulldozers, and wheel loaders, for the operation. Private road contractors are mobilizing about 200 tipper trucks, while the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is collaborating with bulk oil distribution and marketing companies to aid the exercise. Waste will be transported to the Adepa engineered landfill site for controlled disposal, compaction, and covering, with protective measures for workers, residents, and road users.\n\nNighttime haulage is planned to curb disruption and bolster the Government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, while some daytime evacuation may occur. The reclaimed land will be utilized for the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project, which includes an industrial park and a textile factory to generate employment for the youth. President Mahama directed that the site should not revert to a dumping ground post-evacuation, with the Ghana Armed Forces supporting the reclaimed land's protection against encroachment. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly will enforce bylaws and cooperate with traditional authorities and community leaders to avert renewed dumping.\n\nThe intervention is part of a broader national waste management program encompassing household waste bin provision, additional waste transfer station construction, landfill facility development in Greater Kumasi, and engineered landfill facilities across all 16 regional capitals. President Mahama urged residents, businesses, traditional authorities, assemblies, and private operators to collaborate and enhance sanitation. He affirmed that the DRIP equipment from the Agbogbloshie operation would subsequently be deployed to other districts and municipalities for similar refuse dump clearances. He affirmed that the Government would lead the initiative, mobilize resources, enforce regulations, and that every citizen bore the responsibility of proper waste disposal and public space protection.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has launched an exercise, which would be a major operation to clear accumulated waste at Agbogbloshie in Accra and pave the way for the redevelopment of the area. The post President Mahama commissions National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise at Agbogbloshie appeared first on Ghana Business News .",
  "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."
}