Ayariga Gives MMDAs 30 Days to Provide Land for Engineered Landfills

Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga has ordered all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to provide suitable land for new, properly engineered landfill sites within 30 days. The directive targets the replacement of outdated waste facilities that fail to meet Ghana’s growing sanitation demands. In a statement ahead of Saturday’s nationwide sanitation exercise in Accra, the minister emphasized that existing landfills lack the structural and environmental safeguards required to manage the country’s waste volume effectively. He stressed that the move is critical to ensuring environmentally sound waste disposal systems across all districts.

The government plans to supply every household with two waste bins: one for solid waste and another for organic material. This initiative aims to enhance waste segregation at the source and streamline collection processes. Minister Ayariga announced this during a press briefing, noting that improved household-level waste management will reduce contamination and increase recycling potential. He added that the bins will be distributed nationwide as part of a broader strategy to modernize sanitation infrastructure.

Addressing stakeholders, the minister called for collaboration between the government, local authorities, waste management companies, and citizens to tackle the country’s sanitation challenges. He reiterated that sustainable waste management requires a coordinated approach involving all sectors of society. The announcement comes as part of efforts to align Ghana’s waste practices with international environmental standards and reduce the burden on current disposal sites.

The government has not yet disclosed specific timelines for bin distribution or detailed implementation plans for the land allocation process. However, the minister assured that his ministry will work closely with MMDAs to identify and secure appropriate land for the new facilities. This initiative reflects a broader push to upgrade Ghana’s waste management systems, which have long struggled with inadequate infrastructure and poor public cooperation.