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Residents of the Adipa/Asiaw Electoral Area in the Eastern Region have given the government a seven-day ultimatum to halt the transfer of waste from the Agbogbloshie enclave to the Adipa landfill site.
The residents are also demanding engagement with authorities over concerns about the environmental and health implications of activities at the landfill.
They have threatened to block all roads leading to the dumpsite if their concerns are not addressed within the seven-day period.
According to the residents, the indiscriminate disposal of waste at the site has resulted in large heaps of garbage and offensive odours, while also raising concerns about possible groundwater contamination, particularly during periods of rainfall.
Addressing journalists on Monday, September 28, Assembly Member for the Adipa/Asiaw Electoral Area, Emmanuel Asamoah, called for an independent environmental and health impact assessment of the landfill site.
He said the assessment should be followed by a comprehensive cleanup and decontamination exercise in affected areas, with the responsible authorities bearing the cost.
The residents are also calling for permanent security barriers and other measures to prevent illegal dumping at the site.
They further want municipal authorities to organise a public forum within seven days to present a transparent and long-term waste management plan for the area.
“We are not against a fair, well-regulated waste management system, but we are against being treated as an afterthought, a convenient dumping ground for problems the capital does not want to face at all,” Mr Asamoah said.
He warned that failure by the government, relevant authorities and the company operating the facility to respond to their concerns within the seven-day period would lead to further action.
“If within the seven days, which starts from today, exactly one week from today, if we don’t hear any response from the government, responsible authorities, the operating company, we are going to block all roads leading to the dumping site,” he said.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has also questioned the decision to transport waste from Agbogbloshie to the Adipa landfill without what he described as adequate consultation with affected stakeholders.
The Minority Chief Whip raised concerns about the community’s right to a clean environment and questioned whether the arrangement is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goal relating to sustainable waste management and transportation.