Minister Mahama Ayariga Issues 30-Day Land Acquisition Ultimatum to MMDCEs for Waste Infrastructure

In a major push for national sanitation reform, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to identify and secure one-acre plots of land for the construction of waste transfer stations. Speaking at a National Sanitation Day event in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly landfill facilities and transfer stations, remains the primary hurdle in Ghana’s efforts to manage urban waste effectively. The directive is specifically targeted at addressing the waste challenges in high-density areas such as Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi, where current systems have struggled to keep pace with population growth.

The Minister’s initiative represents a strategic shift in the country's sanitation policy, aiming to replace outdated open-bucket waste collection methods with more modern floating bin systems. Beyond the physical infrastructure, Ayariga outlined a plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to enhance funding for these sanitation projects. This funding strategy involves a rigorous review of government expenditure to cut unnecessary costs, redirecting those resources toward critical waste management and recycling processes. The ultimate goal is to establish a comprehensive ecosystem that spans collection, transfer, disposal, and sustainable recycling.

While the central government focuses on sanitation infrastructure, local assemblies are demonstrating progress in other essential sectors. In the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region, District Chief Executive (DCE) Modjfa J. J. F. Mills-Nkrumah recently oversaw the handing over of eight major infrastructure projects valued at GH₵4.3 million. These projects, which include educational facilities such as a six-unit classroom block at Adicherekope DA Basic School and health infrastructure like Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, were funded through the District Assembly Common Fund. The completion of these facilities, initiated in late 2025, underscores the ongoing efforts at the district level to improve social services alongside national environmental goals.

The twin developments highlight a broader administrative drive to improve the quality of life through enhanced infrastructure and accountability at the local level. Minister Ayariga’s directive places a high level of responsibility on MMDCEs to act swiftly on environmental health, while the Ada West projects serve as a template for the effective utilization of public funds. As the 30-day deadline approaches, the focus remains on whether local authorities can overcome land acquisition hurdles to meet the central government's ambitious sanitation targets and maintain the newly commissioned health and education facilities for future generations.