Agbogloshie waste clearance to pave way for industrial park – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to transform the Agbogloshie area in Accra into an industrial park following the evacuation of the massive waste heaps accumulated at the site.

According to the President, the government’s decision to clear the area is not only aimed at addressing the longstanding sanitation challenges but also at reclaiming the land for productive economic activity.

Speaking during the commencement of the waste evacuation exercise, President Mahama said the reclaimed land would form part of the proposed Agbogloshie Urban Land Renewal Project.

“When we have cleared this garbage, the land that will be reclaimed and recovered is going to be an Industrial Park. We intend to establish a major textile factory here so that they can provide employment to our young people,” he said.

The President said the government’s immediate priority was to remove the accumulated waste, which has been estimated at about one million tonnes, and transport it to the Adepa Engineered Landfill near Nsawam in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is expected to be completed within 90 days and is being led by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces and the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP).

Funding is being provided by the Ministry of Finance, with additional support from the District Assemblies Common Fund.

President Mahama said the government was deploying DRIP equipment, including tipper trucks, excavators, bulldozers and wheel loaders, to accelerate the exercise.

The Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the 48 Engineers Regiment, is also providing operational and engineering support.

“We are now mobilising them to clear Agbogloshie; after that, I have a lot of work for them. They have more tasks. Soldiers are not only going to go to war. They are going to be used for emergency operations,” President Mahama stated.

He said the waste clearance would help end the open dumping and burning of waste in the area, which has created public health and environmental concerns.

The President further directed that the evacuated waste be transported to the Adepa Engineered Landfill for controlled disposal, compaction and covering, with measures put in place to protect residents and communities along the haulage routes.

He said the bulk of the waste would be transported at night under the government’s 24-Hour Economy Initiative, while limited evacuation would continue during the day.

“In the daytime, there will be some evacuation of garbage, but on a smaller scale, and then at night we go to full capacity,” he said.

President Mahama appealed to residents of Old Fadama and Agbogloshie to cooperate with the military, DRIP operators and assembly teams during the exercise.

He said the broader objective was to turn the reclaimed space into productive infrastructure that would create jobs and support economic activity, particularly for young people.