The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) abandon the Djanman-Gbawe refuse site. It has accordingly asked the AMA to take immediate steps to secure an alternative site, since the Djanman-Gbawe site has not got the capacity to contain waste generated in the city.
This was contained in recommendations of a technical team set up by the EPA to undertake a study at the Djanman-Gbawe refuse dump site to find out the suitability of the abandoned quarry for the dumping of garbage.
Recently, residents of the area tried to prevent the AMA from dumping refuse at the old stone quarry. After a thorough examination, the technical team also recommended that, a legal action should be taken against AMA for not obtaining a permit from the EPA to dump waste at the site.
It considers the Assembly’s action as a violation of the Environmental Assessment Regulations LI 1652, 1999.
The report said "AMA's action, therefore, have serious environmental implications and it is, therefore, time for the EPA to take legal action and demand on explanation from the AMA".
The team recommended that the AMA should be punished in order to deter other government institutions whose irresponsible actions impinge on public health and the environment as a whole.
It also observed at the refuse dump site that, the AMA rushed and acquired the Djanman-Gbawe site without instituting any precautionary measures to forestall the nuisance associated with dumping waste.
Some of the precautionary measures the report mentioned are site preparation lining of site drainage system, collection and management of leachate as well as creation of cells.
