Accra Metropolitan Assembly strengthens waste collection

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has outdoored two new refuse compactor trucks to improve waste collection, reduce the accumulation of refuse, and strengthen sanitation services across the metropolis.

The trucks, acquired at a total cost of approximately GH¢2.4 million, were commissioned by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim at a ceremony held at the AMA office.

The six-wheel-drive, rear-loading refuse compactors have an approximate carrying capacity of 20 cubic metres, a compaction ratio of between 3:1 and 4:1, and an estimated payload capacity of between 9,500 and 10,000 kilogrammes, with manual, electric and wireless remote-control operating systems.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Local Government Minister commended the Mayor, assembly members, directors and staff of the AMA for working together to improve service delivery despite the financial and legal challenges inherited by the current administration.

He said the Assembly had previously been confronted with garnished accounts, judgement debts, unpaid legal fees, and several court cases, but had gradually stabilised its finances and strengthened its capacity to undertake development projects.

The Minister stated that the two trucks would not be enough to meet the sanitation demands of the capital and urged the Assembly to work towards acquiring at least five or six compactors.

He explained that effective waste management required collaboration between the government, metropolitan authorities, and private waste-management companies, stressing that neither the public nor private sector could manage the challenge alone.

The Minister also urged neighbouring municipal assemblies to invest in their own sanitation equipment instead of relying excessively on the AMA to manage waste generated within their jurisdictions.

According to him, the concentration of major commercial centres, including Makola, meant that the AMA managed waste generated not only by residents of the metropolis but also by traders, commuters and visitors from other parts of Greater Accra and beyond.

He assured the Assembly that the Ministry would explore measures to support the AMA because of the exceptional sanitation burden it carried as the authority responsible for the capital’s central commercial district.

He urged residents to report incidents of refuse being dumped into drains, on roads, and at unauthorised locations through the Assembly’s hotline, 0544 914 628, to enable swift enforcement action.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for making funds available to the Assembly to deliver on its development and sanitation commitments.

He said the Assembly did not own a refuse compactor when he assumed office and had depended mainly on rented equipment and services from private waste-management companies, adding that the continuous rental of sanitation equipment was not sustainable, making it necessary for the Assembly to begin building its own fleet.

The Mayor emphasised that sanitation management should not be restricted by administrative boundaries, explaining that all assemblies were working under the same government and had a shared responsibility to keep the capital clean.

The Mayor acknowledged concerns about the poor maintenance culture often associated with publicly owned equipment and said the Assembly was taking steps to establish its own mechanical workshop.