About 30 refuse dumping sites in the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly have recently undergone clearing operations to enhance sanitation and mitigate flood risks in the area.
Several of these refuse sites had remained uncleared for over seven years, posing a significant hazard to the residents’ well-being.
This initiative is part of the ongoing nationwide refuse evacuation program under the Government’s Clean Ghana Agenda, aimed at addressing the country’s sanitation challenges.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) collaborated with the Tamale Metropolitan and Sagnarigu Municipal assemblies to execute this exercise, with valuable support from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, who provided experts and vehicle trucks for refuse evacuation.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tamale, Sule Salifu, expressed appreciation to the ministry and Zoomlion Ghana Limited for their efforts in improving the region’s sanitation situation. He stressed the importance of taking responsibility for the dumping sites and encouraged both authorities and residents to embrace the pay-as-you-dump policy, which ensures regular refuse evacuation and prevents potential disease outbreaks that could lead to fatalities.
Mr. Salifu also revealed the assembly’s plan to provide refuse containers at strategic locations, allowing residents to dispose of their waste for a nominal fee, ranging from 50 pesewas to GH¢5, depending on the size of the refuse.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sagnarigu, Mohammed Yakubu Ahmed, urged residents to change their behavior regarding indiscriminate refuse dumping to maintain a clean environment.
Some residents expressed their gratitude to the ministry and assemblies for clearing the mountains of refuse that had been a burden on their lives.