Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has criticised the government’s decision to move waste from the Odaw River area at Agbogbloshie to the Adepa Engineered Landfill site at Nsumia in the Eastern Region.
In a social media post on Monday, September 21, the Minority Chief Whip said residents around Nsumia were already dealing with what he described as poisonous leachate from the landfill.
He shared pictures and a video showing liquid waste flowing from the landfill into the surrounding area.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the situation was putting the environment and residents’ livelihoods at risk. He also claimed that the community’s water sources had been affected and that plants and animals were at risk.
“Mr President, we are already contending with deadly & poisonous leachate from the landfill site at Nsumia & its environs. Water tables have been poisoned; flora & fauna are at risk. Why are you & your government adding more pains & miseries to our pathetic situation?” he wrote.
In another post, the MP accused the government of moving the waste without properly engaging residents and other stakeholders in the area.
“No engagement with stakeholders, just ‘hurling’ & dumping of ‘waste’ on us!; this is wrong & we shall resist to draw government’s attention to concerns- which are fundamental & basic, Mr President!” he added.
The government began removing tonnes of waste from the Odaw River area at Agbogbloshie on September 18 as part of efforts to clear Accra of accumulated refuse and reduce flooding.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is leading the exercise, with support from the Ghana Armed Forces.
President John Dramani Mahama said the cleared land would be used for the Agbogbloshie Urban Renewal Project, including the development of an industrial park and a textile factory.
