President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday stated that the next phase of the country’s waste management effort is to convert trash to energy, saying this would not only add to the country’s energy capacity, but also ensure the realisation of the ‘Clean Ghana’ agenda.
“I will therefore reiterate my invitation for more private sector companies to collaborate with government in creating business opportunities in the waste management space such as waste to energy, recycling and composting,” he reiterated.
He commended Zoomlion Ghana Ltd for being at the forefront of innovative waste management in the country, and encouraged the company to continue with its good work, as it supports Government to make the country clean.
He stressed that Government would continue to create an enabling environment, where private sector players would have the opportunity to help provide sustainable waste management services.
President Akufo-Addo said this during the unveiling of 100 state-of-the-art waste management trucks and 25 disinfection equipment secured by Zoomlion Ghana Limited to augment its current fleet.
“Currently, in total, we generate some 7,517,540 metric tonnes of waste. This situation, you would agree, presents enormous investment opportunities, for which the private sector can take advantage,” he said.
He explained that rapid population growth, with its consequent increase in human activities at the residential, commercial and industrial levels, has meant that waste generation activities in Ghana continue to be a challenge.
Quality infrastructure
The trucks unveiled yesterday are going to be used to cart waste from the business districts and communities to landfill sites and waste treatment facilities, as well as help in the ongoing disinfection exercises of spaces and institutions that have been rolled out since the onset of COVID-19.
The procurement of the trucks by Zoomlion, the President said, “is a clear manifestation of the commitment of progressive elements in the private sector to work with government to deliver quality infrastructure, in this case, addressing the waste management situation in the country.”
He said Government is collaborating with Jospong Group of Companies to set up 16 state-of-the-art Integrated Recycling and Compost Plants in all regions of the country.
“This is a good, positive intervention, and it would go a long way to help manage waste effectively. I have been reliably informed that the construction of the waste facilities… is on course, and at various stages of development in the different Regions,” the President said.
He added: “The citing of such infrastructure in the Regions comes with accompanying benefits, such as the creation of jobs, and an improvement in social amenities, such as good roads, potable water and extension of electricity, all of which help improve the domestic economy.”
Sound environment
In a brief remark, the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr Joseph Siaw-Agyepong, disclosed that his outfit unveiled the 100 state-of-the-art trucks with modern technology and well-trained drivers to boost their already existing fleet.
He said this was part of a total consignment of 500 new waste trucks acquired by his group.
“It is expected that the remaining trucks should arrive by the end of the third quarter of this year,” he added.
Additionally, he revealed, JGC is on the verge of receiving over 5,000 motorised tricycles.
These tricycles, he said, will be distributed across the country to support the haulage of solid waste in the cities and communities.
He used the opportunity to announce that a new phase had been added to his company’s operations.
“Our drivers have been taken through rigorous training on discipline, defensive driving and customer service to ensure that they deliver service at an optimum standard,” he said.
Dr Siaw-Agyepong thanked the Akufo-Addo administration for helping the private sector to thrive and contribute to the social and economic development of the country.
