President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate activation of all waste transfer stations operated by Zoomlion Ghana Limited to improve refuse collection and strengthen sanitation efforts across the Greater Accra Region following the recent floods.
The President announced the directive on Saturday, July 11, during the second and final day of the National Clean-up Exercise at Alajo in Accra. He explained that the six transfer stations, although completed more than nine years ago, had remained unused, forcing waste collectors to travel long distances to disposal sites.
According to President Mahama, the transfer stations will allow tricycle operators, popularly known as aboboyaa operators, and other waste collectors to offload refuse at nearby collection points instead of making costly trips to facilities such as the Accra Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) at Amasaman.
The stations, located at Achimota, Teshie, Kpone, Ashaiman, Pantang and Adipa, will serve as temporary collection centres where waste is compacted before being transported by heavy-duty trucks to approved disposal facilities, including the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) and IRECOP.
He described the move as a major step towards creating a more efficient and sustainable waste management system, stressing that clean cities require both reliable infrastructure and responsible public participation.
President Mahama also commended residents for the strong turnout during the nationwide clean-up exercise and encouraged those who had not participated to join the effort.
“Today the turnout is very good, but I am calling on those still in their houses to come out and join us so we clean the city after the flood,” he said, adding that Ghana and Accra remain resilient and will recover stronger.
Responding to the directive, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, welcomed the decision and reaffirmed Zoomlion’s commitment to supporting government’s post-flood sanitation efforts.
He revealed that the second day of the exercise focused largely on evacuating the huge volumes of waste collected from homes, drains and public spaces. To support the operation, Zoomlion and its partners deployed about 150 haulage trucks, 30 compactors, road sweepers, over 2,000 tricycle waste operators, more than 1,000 sanitation personnel and an additional 60 long-haul trailers.
Dr. Siaw Agyepong noted that previous clean-up exercises often failed because waste removed from drains was left by the roadside, where it was eventually washed back into gutters during heavy rains. He said this time, the focus is on ensuring all collected waste is transported immediately to designated disposal sites.
President Mahama acknowledged that the clean-up could not be completed within two days and announced that the Ghana Armed Forces and other state agencies would continue the exercise until all waste cleared from drains is fully evacuated.
The operation is being carried out simultaneously across all 29 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region, particularly in communities severely affected by the recent floods.
