The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga (MP), has expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the IRECOP site under the National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise.
During an inspection of the site on Friday, October 16, 2026, the Minister observed that the accumulated waste heaps had reduced significantly, with some sections almost completely cleared.
Hon. Ayariga commended the operators, drivers, supervisors and district coordinators for their dedication and commitment to the exercise, expressing optimism that the entire evacuation could be completed within the next one to two months.
According to him, the pace of work so far is encouraging and demonstrates what effective coordination between government, private waste management operators and local assemblies can achieve.
He noted that the next phase of the exercise will involve reclaiming the land and dredging the adjoining river to restore the free flow of water and prevent flooding in surrounding communities.
The Minister also renewed the government’s appeal to corporate institutions and the private sector to support the exercise, particularly the planned dredging works, which will require substantial resources.
He stressed that waste management is a shared responsibility and that corporate Ghana has a key role to play in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all.
The National Emergency Waste Evacuation Exercise was launched to clear major waste hotspots across the country, especially in Accra, which have posed health hazards and environmental challenges over the years. IRECOP – the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant – is one of the key sites handling waste under the programme.
Present at the inspection were officials from the Ministry, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and other stakeholders involved in the evacuation exercise.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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