Nalerigu: Jospong Group partners government to commission 400-tonne waste recycling plant

In a significant step toward enhancing environmental sustainability in Northern Ghana, the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), in partnership with the government, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) in Nalerigu. 

The facility which can recycle 400-tonnes of waste a day is set to transform waste management in the region by processing mixed waste, recycling plastics, and producing organic compost for agricultural use.

The plant's commissioning ceremony was marked by praise from traditional and government leaders. Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, hailed the facility as a "lifeline" for the people, emphasizing its role in creating organic compost and recycling waste. “This project has indeed come to save our people,” he stated, while urging a strong culture of maintenance to ensure the plant's long-term success.

The Deputy Minister of Sanitation, Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, who represented the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, highlighted the importance of the facility in achieving Ghana’s national sanitation goals. 

“This 400-tonne capacity plant is a significant step in modernizing the waste management sector and aligns with the government’s vision of public-private partnerships driving sanitation reforms,” he remarked. He also commended Zoomlion workers for their dedication in bringing the project to fruition.

The Executive Director of Environment and Sanitation at JGC, Mr. Haidar Said spoke on behalf of Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of JGC, celebrating the success of the project. He noted that the plant, which was part of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision for a cleaner Ghana, was first initiated with a sod-cutting ceremony in 2020. 

Mr. Said also revealed that the Nalerigu complex includes a medical waste treatment plant, which will further enhance waste management in the Northern Region by processing 99% of the area’s waste.

The facility’s broader impact was highlighted with its role as a research hub and tourist attraction, promoting sustainable waste management practices across the country. Additionally, it has created 600 direct and indirect jobs, providing economic benefits to the local community. The plant will also contribute to Ghana’s environmental goals through carbon credit benefits, reinforcing efforts to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint.

North East Regional Minister, Zakaria Yidana, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s completion, commending the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and the contributions of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (MLGDRD). 

He praised the Jospong Group for its execution of the project and welcomed other infrastructure improvements, including road development, as part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance regional resilience.