The Accra metropolis is running out of space for new refuse dump sites due to the volume of waste it generates, says Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive.The metropolis, according to him generates an average of 2,000 tones of waste daily �with the average city dweller throwing away about five pounds of trash everyday.�
Mr Vanderpuije made this known when be launched the Ghana Innovative Market (GIM) place 2009 in Accra last Friday.The programme which was on the theme, �Solid Waste, big problem, big opportunity,� aimed at seeking innovative, strategic solution to Ghana�s growing problem of solid waste management. He said the city keeps acquiring land for dump sites but incapable of managing them. To forestall the challenges, he said, the assembly had decided to introduce the �waste to energy� concept which was to transform waste into electricity. He said the city would benefit greatly form this type of energy because its source was readily available in large quantities, pollution would be reduced, and landfill spaces would be reclaimed.
�It�s time to put the myths and falsehoods aside and take a fresh look at what we do with rubbish, let�s not waste any more energy, let us remember that waste to energy process is also a winner in global warming department�, he added. Mr Vanderpuije said the GIM 2009 would provide an avenue for potential applicants to explore how to convert waste to energy in an economically sustainable manner and also create employment for the youth. He called on stakeholders to join hands to address the menace of waste in the country.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, in an address read on his behalf, said the negative effects of poor sanitation management on people poses a threat to the attainment of the objective of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Millennium Development Goals and Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy. He said under the African Development Bank � funded project, 77.53 million dollars had been secured for the rehabilitation and expansion of the sewerage improvement project implemented by the AMA.�If Ghana is to attract any investment opportunity in tourism and become a middle income nation by 2015, then we need to enhance the waste management capacity in our cities, towns and villages,� he said.
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