Assemblies given a 30-day deadline to find land for waste transfer stations

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have been given 30 days to identify suitable land for waste transfer stations as the government prepares to introduce an integrated waste management system.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the directive during a National Sanitation Day exercise at Rawlings Park in Accra on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The exercise was held to mark World Cleanup Day 2026.

According to a Starr FM report, the proposed stations will form part of a coordinated system covering refuse collection, transportation, disposal and recycling.

Mr Ayariga said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other assemblies were expected to submit locations measuring at least one acre for the facilities.

The initiative follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to strengthen waste management, starting with how households handle their refuse.

Under the proposed arrangement, households will receive two bins to separate organic waste from other solid waste before collection.

The government also plans to introduce self-loading and self-tipping refuse vehicles to replace the open-bucket tricycles popularly known as Aboboyaa.

Mr Ayariga said the change would improve waste transportation and support a more efficient operation for young people engaged in refuse collection.

He identified gaps in the existing system as a factor contributing to improper disposal, particularly where residents struggle to access suitable disposal facilities.

Chief executives in Greater Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and other regional capitals have therefore been tasked with finding appropriate locations for the transfer stations. Assemblies in major urban centres are also expected to secure land for properly engineered landfill facilities.

Although the programme will require substantial public investment, Mr Ayariga said improved sanitation could deliver wider benefits, including better public health, reduced healthcare costs and a more welcoming environment for visitors.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.