Former Accra mayor Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah told Channel One TV’s Face to Face that residents of the Adipa/Asiaw Electoral Area are justified in demanding better management of the Adipa landfill site. The community has given the government a seven‑day ultimatum to halt the transfer of waste to the landfill and to engage them over their concerns.
Sowah warned that poorly managed landfill sites pose serious environmental and health risks. "The leachate that comes is very dangerous, and now the smell, the flies that come, it’s likely to engulf the whole community," he said. He added that leachate, odour and flies could threaten surrounding homes.
The former mayor noted that Accra generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily and that suitable landfill sites are increasingly scarce due to urban expansion and land ownership challenges. He said the Adipa facility is currently critical to managing waste generated in the city. "If we close that landfill site today, all the waste that you generate in Citi FM and the whole of the city, then where are we going to dump it? You have no place to dump," he said.
Sowah clarified that the waste being transported to Adipa mainly consists of accumulated material from the Korle Lagoon area following dredging activities, not the regular daily waste from Accra. He urged the government to clearly communicate the purpose of the exercise and what will happen to the cleared area afterwards. "I would like to urge the Minister to be very clear as to what exactly you are doing. You are clearing the place. What are you clearing there for? How is the place going to be maintained?" he asked.
Residents’ concerns will be considered as the government seeks to address Accra’s waste management challenges. The situation remains under close scrutiny by community leaders and environmental groups.
