Armed scavengers take over dump site at Gbebu Glife Gbegbeyise in Ablekuma West

The Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly is alarmed by a crisis in Gbebu Glife Gbegbeyise. Armed scavengers have taken control of an illegal dump site there.

The area is overwhelmed with unregulated waste. Heavily armed individuals protect the site and ignore authorities' attempts to intervene.

Municipal Environmental Health Officer Samuel Tete called it a security and environmental emergency. "We are helpless," he said. "Not even the military deters the armed scavengers."

Mr. Tete noted that dumping has occurred since 2021. Despite military interventions on three occasions, the illegal activity continues.

"We brought in military personnel three times," he explained. "But as soon as they leave, dumping starts again." The Assembly has seized over 50 tricycles to stop the dumping, but it hasn't worked.

To discourage offenders, the Assembly imposed a fine of 1,000 Ghana cedis per tricycle. They return seized vehicles only after owners sign agreements not to dump again.

However, many offenders have resumed dumping activities. "They paid and we gave back their tricycles," Mr. Tete said. "But many returned to dumping."

Before arrests can be made, offenders often flee and leave their tricycles behind.

Cleaning and restoring the site would cost about seven million Ghana cedis. This amount exceeds the Assembly’s internally generated funds (IGF).

"If we use 20% of our IGF, it would take decades," Mr. Tete added. "Our IGF is about 5.6 million Ghana cedis; we cannot handle this alone."

Despite its illegality, some individuals rely on the dump for survival by scavenging plastic and metal materials for resale.

Isidu Bright came from Koforidua seeking work in Accra and now depends on the dump for daily needs. "We pick damaged rubbers," he said, adding that they refine them for reuse.

Bright expressed uncertainty about how he would feel if the site were cleared: “I don’t know what to say.”

Mr. Tete hopes that the incoming Municipal Chief Executive will provide needed leadership to address this issue.

"We believe he will guide us going forward," he stated, mentioning plans to hand offenders over to police for prosecution.

Illegal dumping remains a significant threat to public health and safety in the area. The Assembly is appealing directly to central government for urgent help before conditions worsen.

Additionally, assemblies have complained about Zoomlion's ineffectiveness in providing waste containers and timely services under the Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP).

MP Kwaku Apretwu-Sarpong addressed media at the dumpsite, suggesting more competition in sanitation could improve service quality from Zoomlion.

John Oti Bless, Chairman of the Committee, announced plans to invite Zoomlion to respond to reported infractions by assemblies.

The committee will also meet with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga on Wednesday, April 15, to discuss these issues further.