The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okeyere Darko-Mensah, has raised concerns about the alarming situation of faecal waste management in the region.
He revealed that only 10% of the collected faecal waste undergoes treatment, while the remaining 90% is indiscriminately dumped into the environment untreated, posing serious environmental and health hazards.
The Minister made these remarks during the commissioning of the Sekondi-Trakoradi Faecal Sludge Management Plant in Asaake, Western Region.
The city of Sekondi-Trakoradi, being the third most densely populated city in Ghana with an annual average growth of 3.2%, faces challenges due to the majority of urban households relying on on-site sanitation systems.
The existing waste disposal site at Sofokrom-Essipon has been struggling to accommodate both wastewater and municipal solid waste, necessitating the establishment of the new faecal sludge management facility.
With a design capacity of 1000m3/day and an average of 100 trucks visiting the plant daily, the new facility is expected to significantly improve the environmental conditions of the city.
The project aims to tackle contamination in ground and surface water, improve hygiene conditions, elevate living standards, and provide employment opportunities for the youth in the region.
Additionally, the plant will serve as a valuable learning and research facility for professionals and students alike.
Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, expressed his gratitude to the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and the Western Regional Minister for their instrumental support in making the project a success.
He noted that the initiative was inspired by President Nana Addo’s vision of making Ghana the neatest country in Africa.
Ballint Horvath, CEO of Pureco KFT-Hungary, emphasized the significance of tackling faecal waste management, praising Ghana for setting an example in the sub-region with the three faecal sludge management projects in Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale.
The commissioning of the plant was celebrated as a remarkable partnership between Ghana and Hungary, with Mr. Tristan Azbej, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hungary, acknowledging the collaboration between the two nations. He reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development efforts and invited further collaboration.
The new facility is expected to create employment opportunities for about 300 individuals, marking a step forward in addressing the pressing environmental challenges and enhancing the well-being of the region’s inhabitants.