Waste crisis exposes gaps in Ghana's sanitation planning – BTTA president

The President of the Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association (BTTA), Johnbusco Avom Aduko, has urged the government to adopt a more forward-looking approach to waste management, warning that the country’s sanitation challenges are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

His comments come amid reports that hundreds of tricycle operators involved in refuse collection have been stranded along the Mallam-Kasoa Road following disruptions at key waste disposal sites in the Greater Accra Region.

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According to some riders, the closure of a dumping site on Mortuary Road and flooding at the Weija-Oblogo landfill have significantly reduced available disposal options, creating long queues and delays in waste collection.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Aduko said the recurring challenges emphasise the need for long-term planning rather than emergency interventions.

“We have engaged the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders who have assured us they will find solutions, but the question is, when? Do we always have to wait before there is a problem before we find a solution?” he asked.

He noted that key proposals aimed at easing pressure on existing waste facilities, including the establishment of transfer stations, have remained on the drawing board for years.

“There was a proposal to create a transfer station centre, and till now, that hasn’t been done,” he said.

Aduko argued that efficient waste management could not only improve sanitation but also generate revenue and create employment opportunities if properly managed.

Meanwhile, a Senior Research Scientist at the CSIR-Water Research Institute, Pennante Naa Ayikailey Bruce-Vanderpuije, has warned that the situation could have far-reaching environmental consequences.

She explained that flooding at the McCarthy Down landfill site poses a risk of contaminants being washed into the Densu River, which feeds the Weija Dam, a major source of water for Accra and surrounding communities.

Her warning adds to growing concerns that the pressure on waste disposal facilities is no longer just a sanitation issue but also a threat to public health and water security.

NA/VPO