Ayariga says IRECOP cleanup demonstrates Ghana’s capacity to tackle major waste challenges

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, says the ongoing clearance of waste heaps at the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) site in Accra demonstrates Ghana’s capacity to address major sanitation challenges through commitment and effective mobilisation of resources.

The minister said this during a visit to the site to assess progress on the cleanup, expressing satisfaction with the visible transformation achieved so far, despite the initial 90-day deadline not having elapsed.

“Today, you can see for yourselves how far we have come. That’s why I said that as a country, when we challenge ourselves, we can do a lot for ourselves,” he said.

Mr Ayariga described the progress as evidence that the country could manage even its most difficult waste challenges if the necessary resources and collective commitment were brought to bear.

“If we are able to clear this heap, I don’t think there’s any waste in this country that cannot be cleared. And I don’t think there’s any waste that cannot be managed,” he added.

The Minister, however, stressed the need to protect the cleared land from encroachment as government works towards its proposed industrial park project on the site. “We need to protect the area as we work towards that vision,” he emphasised.

He said the government also intends to cover sections of the cleared area in the interim and provide facilities, including walkways, to serve residents of surrounding communities while plans for the industrial park are pursued.