The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, on Sunday, September 6th, 2026, conducted an inspection of the Gbalahi final disposal site as part of his nationwide tour of waste management facilities.

During his visit to the Northern Region, the Minister reiterated his commitment to addressing Ghana’s growing waste management challenges. This follows his recent declaration of a national emergency regarding the large waste heap at Agbogbloshie in Accra.

At Gbalahi, Hon. Ayariga was received by officials from the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, and managers of the landfill site.

A briefing at the weighbridge revealed that Greater Tamale generates approximately 980 tons of waste daily. However, only 300 to 350 tons are transported to Gbalahi, as the Assembly does not directly manage the site but has delegated operations to Waste Landfills Company and SSGL for liquid waste treatment, with oversight from the Assembly.

The remaining waste ends up in drains, bushes, and temporary refuse sites across the metropolis, which are later evacuated to Gbalahi. The distance from the town to the landfill presents significant logistical challenges.

Hon. Ayariga expressed dissatisfaction with the low volume of waste arriving at the landfill, especially after a major cleanup exercise. He emphasized that waste collection is a daily necessity and that irregular disposal hampers effective management. He also noted that tricycle operators are limited to only two trips to the landfill, often resulting in illegal dumping.

To address these issues, the Ministry is engaging with the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to construct a transfer station within the city. This facility would enable waste collection within 2 to 4 kilometers of the urban area, with larger trucks making 4 to 5 trips daily to Gbalahi, thereby reducing operational costs and traffic congestion. The waste officer of the Assembly Mr. Luriwei Hamidu welcomed this proposal, suggesting that multiple transfer stations could further improve efficiency.

Hon. Ayariga also stressed the importance of household waste separation, asserting that waste can finance its own management if properly organized. He explained that efficient waste management would significantly reduce the country’s health expenditures, as poor sanitation is a major contributor to health-related costs.

On the issue of residents paying for waste collection, the Minister clarified that Ghanaians are willing to pay once they observe tangible service delivery. He emphasized the need for the government to demonstrate commitment and effectiveness first, to build trust and encourage payment.

He further assured that his Ministry would incorporate the realities observed on the ground into a comprehensive national sanitation strategy. He called on local authorities to mobilize households and promote participation in the new waste management framework.

By: Mahamudu Musah