President Akufo-Addo cutting sod for the waste plant
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday cut the sod for work to commence on the first integrated solid waste treatment facility in the Upper East Region.
The sod-cutting took place at Sherigu in Bolgatanga during a short ceremony witnessed by the chiefs and people of the area.
With the exception of the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions whose plants have been inaugurated, works are currently ongoing on solid waste treatment plants in all the 16 regions under a public-private partnership (PPP) spearheaded by Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL) and its partner – Komptech.
In a short address, President Akufo-Addo said, “I want to reiterate that I am particularly keen to assist any private company which is ready to advance the progress of this country.”
According to President Akufo-Addo, the waste treatment facilities across the regions were very important, adding that they would help deal with waste management in the country.
He applauded the collaboration among the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) for their efforts to ensure that all the 16 regions have a share of the plants.
He indicated that the compost recycling plants would help safeguard the sanctity of “our environment” and ensure that Ghanaians are healthy.
The President went on to describe the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and the Executive Chairman of JGC, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZGL, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, as “two exceptional Ghanaians that we must continue to support.”
Mrs. Dapaah disclosed that the Upper East generates 782 tonnes of solid waste daily and said the plant would get raw materials for the compost and recycling, adding, “There is the need for the private sector to fill in the value chain in the collection and transportation of solid waste in the region.”
On his part, the Chief of Sherigu Traditional Area, Naba Thomas Aluman Apasinaba II, expressed appreciation to the President for fulfilling all his campaign promises in the run-up to the 2016 election.
He said social intervention programmes, such as Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs, NABCo, had impacted positively on the lives of his people.
From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga