The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned phase two of the three-phased of the Accra Composting and Recycling Plant to sustain sanitation issues in Accra.
The facility which has added an 800-tons line to the existing 600-ton facility can boast of additional machines from Lubo in the Netherland and expansion of the floor area.
The project seeks to provide the MMDAs within the catchment areas, a viable and cost-effective alternative to dumpsites. It will help meet the growing demand for organic compost for soil enhancement mediums or fertilizers, also provide sustainable material and energy recovery solutions to the high or increasing levels of recyclables in our Municipal Solid Waste.
In his remarks at the commissioning of the plant on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Adjan Kotoku in Accra President Akufo-Addo said the disposal of solid waste management remains a challenge especially in the urban areas of this country.
“Let commend the Jospong Group for its efforts to support the government to make Ghana the cleanest country in Africa”.
According to President Akufo-Addo, his administration is taking the necessary steps to create a friendly environment for private sector partnership, thus; remain committed to addressing sanitation challenges in transforming Ghana to become the cleanest country in Africa.
“That’s one critical intervention in the management of solid waste. however, the establishment of the integrated solid waste management facility requires huge financial input. It is due to these reasons, my government is committed to addressing these immense transforming Ghana to become the cleanest country in West Africa. In this regard, the government is taking the necessary steps to create enabling environment for the private sector to partner government in finding solutions to this economic crisis”.
Adding that most private sector players have been relaxed to enter into this space.
“I’m glad and fortunate that the Jospong Group had the courage and spirit of enterprise to enter this space to partner with government support in addressing sanitation issues across the country”.
Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong on his part expressed his profound gratitude to the Ministers of Sanitation and Water Resources Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, The Greater Accra Region, Mr. Henry Quartey, and the Local Government, Rural Development and Decentralization, Mr. Dan Botwe.
“I’m very grateful to the Members of Parliament(MPs) in the various Parliamentary Select Committees, Partners and the Environmental Service Providers Association(ESPA) among others”.
The first phase of Accra Compost and Recycling is a 600 tons per day capacity to receive sod to produce high-quality organic compost for agriculture economic activities.
In conclusion, he stressed that the government will continue to create enabling environment for the private sector to thrive business to achieve the government agenda.
Executive Chairman, Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong stated that the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) is a workable solution to the daunting waste management challenges confronting us as a people. It is a direct response to attaining Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which demands the provision of clean environmental sanitation management to protect our ecosystem and promote healthy environments.
According to him, the establishment of the plant has indeed demonstrated the company’s commitment to ensuring sustainable alternatives to the waste management situation in the country.
“This has contributed significantly to mitigating the threats to public health and environmental safety. The establishment of the facility is a revolutionary move to radicalize the waste management industry in Ghana and beyond”, he stated.
Adding that collaborative effort of all stakeholders is the key to attaining these desirable ends.
The Plant which started with a workforce of 150 will be adding 300 more. Currently, the Jospong Group employs over 6,000 core staff and 45,000 operatives totalling a workforce of 51,000 people.
President Nana Addo extended the visit to the Kpone landfill site to inspect the ongoing works on the re-engineering and decommissioning at the site.
The work on the Kpone landfill site which started eight years ago, with the initial intention to process the waste generated by the then Tema metropolis (now sub-divided into Tema Metro and Kpone Municipality) was receiving much more waste than was expected and thus escalated into an unpleasant situation that needed an urgent response.
The event was graced by Deputy Ambassador of Kingdom of Netherlands, Scholars, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Traditional Rulers, The Clergy, etc.
Nana Akufo-Addo
