Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, says the government will insist that Ghanaians pay their fair share towards addressing the country’s sanitation challenges.
According to the Minister, people who generate waste must bear the cost of managing it rather than relying on the District Assemblies Common Fund to finance sanitation services.
Mr. Ayariga made the remarks during a working visit to waste management facilities operated by the Jospong Group of Companies in the Greater Accra Region.
As part of his early official engagements, the Minister toured the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), the Achimota Waste Transfer Station, the Jamestown Waste Transfer Station and other waste management facilities, including Zoomlion’s operations at the Tema dumping site.
The visit was aimed at giving the newly appointed Minister first-hand knowledge of the systems and infrastructure supporting waste collection, transfer, treatment, recycling and resource recovery.
Mr. Ayariga said the government would seek to strengthen the financing of sanitation services by ensuring that those who produce waste contribute to its proper management.
He stressed the need for a sustainable approach to sanitation financing, arguing that the cost of managing waste should not be left entirely to public funds.
The Minister was accompanied by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, and the Mayor of Accra, Michael Allotey.
The engagement also focused on opportunities for investment and stronger public-private partnerships in Ghana’s waste management sector.
Discussions explored innovative approaches to improving service delivery, expanding recycling and resource recovery, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting the national drive for cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities.
The Minister’s visit forms part of efforts by the Ministry to better understand existing waste management operations and identify practical measures to improve sanitation across the country.
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