Sustainable waste management: Select Committee advocates stakeholder engagement

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology has called for stakeholder engagement. This aims to create a sustainable waste management system in the country.

Yaw Frimpong Addo, the MP for New Adubia and committee chairman, emphasized key issues. These include operational costs of recycling plants, waste segregation, and waste cutting costs. He believes these matters require national discussions.

During a tour of environmental facilities in Ahafo region, the committee made further recommendations. They visited the Goaso Integrated Recycling Compost Plant (GIRCP). The committee urged the government to support private sector efforts against environmental pollution.

Previously, the committee engaged with the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). They also met with other environmental facilities and staff from the regional health department.

Globally, about 3.4 billion tonnes of waste are generated each year. This amounts to roughly 9.3 million tonnes daily. Waste generation is projected to rise by 73% by 2050.

In Ghana, around 12,710 tonnes of solid waste are produced daily. However, only 10% is collected and disposed of properly. Plastic waste makes up a significant portion of urban refuse.

In Accra alone, waste collection costs about GH₵6.00 per ton. Private contractors handle this cost by providing containers and clearing waste from collection points.

Accra's residents generate an average of 0.70kg of waste per day. While higher-income areas have formal collection services, low-income areas lack them significantly; only 40% of their waste is collected.

Mr. Addo reassured the public regarding job security for over 40,000 Youth Employment Agency workers. He stated that discussions are ongoing about their employment status.

Lola Ashitey manages sewage systems at Zoomlion Ghana Limited. She mentioned that despite government debts, they remain committed to their duties. She encouraged everyone to contribute to sanitation efforts.

Ashitey explained that the GH₵850 allocated by the government is divided into three parts: worker salaries, operational costs, and payments to Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

She stressed that effective sanitation management requires adequate funding and infrastructure support from all stakeholders.