Residents call for military action against land guards at alleged illegal Mallam landfill

Residents of the Mallam enclave are calling for the immediate intervention of state security agencies and the Ghana Armed Forces over what they describe as the growing activities of heavily armed land guards allegedly protecting an illegal landfill site that they believe has become a major cause of persistent flooding in the area.

According to the residents, the landfill, located within a critical watercourse near Mallam, has obstructed the natural flow of stormwater, resulting in repeated flooding that has destroyed homes, displaced families and damaged public infrastructure whenever heavy rains occur.

The disputed site has reportedly evolved into an illegal waste disposal ground where large quantities of refuse collected by tricycle ("Pragia") waste operators from various parts of Accra are dumped daily.

Speaking in a media interview on July 13, 2026, some residents alleged that repeated attempts by public officials to halt the dumping activities have been thwarted by heavily armed men believed to be land guards, who have allegedly taken control of the area and intimidated anyone attempting to interfere with their operations.

"We need the military to use brute force to drive out these armed land guards. The situation is beyond the capacity of the municipal authorities," one resident said.

Another resident claimed that fear has gripped the community because of the presence of the armed men.

"People are afraid. Even government officials cannot effectively stop what is happening because these armed men have taken over the place," the resident alleged.

Community members further claimed that the landfill was established under an arrangement with private operators to dump refuse at the location with the intention of gradually filling portions of the wetlands and waterways before converting the reclaimed land into commercial property.

According to the residents, the continuous dumping of refuse has significantly narrowed or in some places completely blocked—natural drainage channels that previously carried floodwaters safely into larger water bodies.

Drone footage obtained from the area appears to show extensive heaps of waste covering large sections of what residents say were once active waterways. However, an independent environmental assessment would be required to determine the full extent of any obstruction.

Residents say every rainy season brings renewed devastation, with floodwaters overflowing into homes and businesses, forcing families to evacuate while roads are washed away as the water searches for alternative channels.

"Whenever it rains, our homes get flooded because the water has nowhere to pass. The landfill has blocked the natural waterways," another resident claimed.

Beyond the flooding, residents say the landfill has become a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and other disease-carrying insects, raising fears of possible outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases within the surrounding communities.

Some residents insist that the illegal landfill is the principal obstruction to the area's drainage system and the primary cause of the recurring floods.

Business owners operating within the vicinity have also expressed concern, arguing that the continued operation of the landfill has unfairly shifted public blame onto companies that they say are not responsible for the flooding.

Among the companies operating in the area are Chinese-owned CAITECH and the VVIP Servicing Office.

Sources close to some of the businesses say they are prepared to support efforts to permanently relocate the dumping activities to a more suitable site if government authorities take decisive action.

Residents, however, say little progress has been made despite repeated complaints to the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly, leaving many questioning why the alleged activities of the armed land guards have continued unchecked.

They also allege that heavy rains regularly wash large volumes of loose sand from the landfill into nearby drains and gutters, further reducing the drainage system's capacity and worsening flooding in the area.

Community leaders are now calling for a coordinated operation involving the Ghana Police Service, National Security, environmental regulatory authorities, and, where necessary, the Ghana Armed Forces to dismantle what they describe as a network of armed land guards and restore public control over the disputed site.

"Government must act now before more lives and properties are lost. We need the security agencies to reclaim the area and stop the illegal dumping once and for all," a community leader appealed.

The residents are also demanding an independent forensic investigation into the establishment and operation of the landfill, including any contracts, permits, or official approvals that may have facilitated its existence.