The government is considering closing down the
Kpone landfill site due to health hazards, the Greater Accra Regional Minister,
Ishmael Ashitey, has announced.
According to him, residents of Kpone and its
surrounding communities in rural Greater Accra Region are beginning to be
affected. He said discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Sanitation for
the necessary action to be taken.
The Kpone landfills are the main dumping sites
for most metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater
Accra Region.
However, residents have raised concerns about
health hazards associated with the landfill location as the traditional
council, youth groups and industries around the area have also voiced their
concerns.
The affected residents claim there is an
increase in respiratory-related diseases and the burning of plastic waste is
causing serious environmental pollution. Strangely, some farmers use the
poisonous water that emanates from the site for irrigation purpose.
Speaking on the sideline of the sod cutting for
the construction of a theatre for the Kpone Health Centre as part of the area’s
share of the $1 million per constituency policy, the regional minister said the
ministry was working on an alternative to enable them to clear the problematic
landfill sites.
“I am not oblivious of the situation because I
come from here (Kpone) and will do what is best for the community,” he said.
From Vincent Kubi, Kpone
