Minority Chief Whip Calls for Mandatory Waste Separation and Decommissioning of Landfills

The Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency and Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s waste management system, particularly in the area of waste separation.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh said he would limit his contribution to a specific portion of the report, focusing on waste segregation. He noted that in most parts of the world, waste is separated at the source, adding that it appears to be only in Africa, and Ghana in particular, that waste separation is treated as a challenge. He explained that biodegradable waste can easily be separated from non-biodegradable waste, yet this basic practice is not being followed in the country.

According to him, in other jurisdictions there are designated containers for biodegradable waste, which marks the starting point of proper waste processing. He stressed that waste is a valuable resource, and failure to process it amounts to “wasting the waste,” since it can be converted into other forms such as energy. He added that waste-to-energy plants generating electricity are common in many countries, while Ghana continues to generate large volumes of unprocessed waste.

Hon. Annoh-Dompreh further identified the decommissioning of landfill sites as one of Ghana’s greatest challenges, warning that landfill sites across the country have become death traps. He cautioned against pretending that the situation is under control, insisting that it remains a serious national problem.

Citing Nsumia, a suburb of Nsawam Adoagyiri, he revealed that hazardous substances from a landfill site are seeping into the area’s water table, posing grave environmental and health risks. He described the situation as poisonous and unacceptable.

The Minority Chief Whip emphasized that while changes in lifestyle and attitudes are necessary, waste management must be treated as a core responsibility of the ministry. He urged the sector minister, Hon. Jerry, to take decisive action to address the country’s worsening waste management challenges.

Report by PKB