Seyram Alhassan (arrowed), Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (left), being conducted round the facility by Fred Ayim Ofosu (2nd from left), Plant Manager, Sewerage System Ghana Limited.

Sanitation Minister tours Western Regional waste management facilities

Daily Graphic Aug - 17 - 2024 , 15:42

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Seyram Alhassan, has visited the Western Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and Medical Waste Treatment facility.

Following her tour, the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, expressed satisfaction about the facilities' operations, observing that they were functioning effectively and aligned with the region's development goals.

“These facilities provide a sustainable solution to uncontrolled dumping of medical waste and faecal sludge," she emphasised.

She highlighted the government's plans to collaborate with the private sector to invest in the sanitation sector by establishing more facilities nationwide.

Visit

The visit was part of the minister's familiarisation tour, having assumed office in May, this year, aimed at gaining first-hand insight into development projects in the region.

Ms Alhassan stressed the importance of such plants in supporting development goals, aiming to treat waste from Tarkwa, Nzema and Ahanta.

She mentioned the upcoming operation of the IRECOP facility, delayed due to capacity upgrades, which would recycle about 90 per cent of the region's waste to generate employment opportunities.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, noted that the projects were now operational, with the facility processing 10 trucks of waste daily, with the ultimate aim of directing more waste to the facility.

The €20 million Takoradi Wastewater Treatment Plant, a joint project involving Jospong Group, Pureco Kft, Ecosteryl, Sewage Systems Ghana Ltd and the ministry would transform waste management systems in the region. The facility treats 10,000 cubic metres of faecal matter daily using European technology.

The project includes a centralised medical waste treatment plant to collect and treat hazardous healthcare waste.

The minister also used the opportunity to inspect the Tarkoradi-Sekondi water expansion project in Daboase, which was about 65 per cent complete.