On Monday, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga visited the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOM) in Accra to assess the progress of a cleanup exercise that had begun a few weeks earlier. He praised the visible transformation of the site, noting that the extent of the clearance was now evident even though the initial 90‑day target had not yet elapsed.
"Today, you can see for yourselves how far we have come. That’s why I said that as a country, when we challenge ourselves, we can do a lot for ourselves," the minister said, highlighting the role of collective effort and proper mobilisation of resources in achieving the goal.
Ayariga stressed that the progress demonstrated Ghana’s capacity to tackle major sanitation challenges when resources and commitment are brought together. "If we are able to clear this heap, I don’t think there’s any waste in this country that cannot be cleared. And I don’t think there’s any waste that cannot be managed," he added.
He called for measures to protect the cleared land from further encroachment, especially as the government plans to develop an industrial park on the site. "We need to protect the area as we work towards that vision," he said. The minister also disclosed that the government intends to cover portions of the cleared area and provide facilities, including walkways, for residents in neighbouring communities while awaiting the proposed development.
Looking ahead, Ayariga said the DRIP team would move to other regions after completing the exercise in Accra, deploying its equipment to support strategic infrastructure projects such as dams, agricultural development, water storage and sanitation management. He expressed confidence that the team would meet the 90‑day target, stressing that the equipment must be made available to address similar challenges across the country.
As Ghana continues to confront waste management issues, the IRECOM cleanup serves as a tangible example of what can be achieved through coordinated action and resource mobilisation.
