President Mahama Launches Major Waste Evacuation as Parliament Scrutinizes District Sanitation Spending

President John Mahama has initiated an emergency waste evacuation project along the Odaw River in Accra, coinciding with a rigorous nationwide monitoring exercise by Parliament’s Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources. While the President’s initiative aims to clear approximately one million tonnes of accumulated waste at Agbogbloshie to prevent flooding and facilitate urban renewal, the Parliamentary Committee is demanding strict accountability from local authorities regarding the use of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). This dual approach of high-level intervention and local government transparency highlights a renewed national effort to address Ghana's persistent sanitation and waste management challenges.

The Select Committee has specifically summoned the Nkwanta North District Assembly to appear in Accra for further questioning following a presentation that left members dissatisfied. Member of Parliament Ibrahimah Mohammed Zuwera emphasized that the Committee is focused on ensuring the 10% DACF allocation for water and sanitation is utilized effectively and transparently, warning against misattributing mismanagement to funding delays. While the Committee expressed concern over Nkwanta North, it praised the Volta Region as the cleanest in the country during its assessment. Most assemblies in the Volta and Oti regions have demonstrated effective use of funds for institutional toilets, boreholes, and drainage works, though many local leaders continue to advocate for more predictable and increased financial support.

In Krachi East, Municipal Chief Executive Safo Nketiah highlighted the vital role of private sector collaboration, praising Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and the use of the IRECOP facility for waste disposal. This sentiment was echoed by Committee Chairman John Oti Bless, who urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to move beyond drafting regulations to strictly enforcing sanitation bylaws. The Committee is now advocating for a dedicated national sanitation fund and stronger partnerships between the government and private investors to shift the national focus from mere waste disposal to sustainable recycling and industrialization.

On the ground in Accra, President Mahama’s visit to the Agbogbloshie site marked the beginning of a 90-day operation involving the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The successful clearing of the Odaw River basin is expected to pave the way for an industrial park and a major textile factory, which the President noted will create significant employment opportunities for locals. As the Parliamentary Committee continues its tour toward the Central and Western regions, the government maintains that public discipline, corporate support, and rigorous oversight remain essential to sustaining these sanitation gains and transforming Ghana’s environmental landscape.