The Volta Region is set to benefit from the on-going integrated recycling and compost plants being constructed across the country by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in partnership with the government of Ghana following a colorful sod-cutting ceremony on Saturday.
Work is currently on-going on similar projects in all the other regions with the exceptions of the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions whose plants have already been inaugurated.
The Volta Region facility which will be situated at Akrofu in the HO Municipality is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2021 and have the capacity to process tones of solid waste into compost to be used for agricultural purposes and other useful end products.
The facility when completed has the capacity to meet all the waste management needs of the residents of Ho and surrounding areas. It also will reduce drastically the high rate of plastic pollution which become a major environment issue for many developing countries.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the Volta Regional Minister, Archibald Yao Letsa who spoke on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo described the project as part of the government’s clean Ghana agenda, saying the completion of the Ho solid waste plant will enormously help ensure that Ghana becomes the cleanest country as envisioned by the president.
He said collaboration government and Zoomlion Ghana Limited were laudable and will help improve waste management in the country.
“I am particularly excited about this project because it is in line with the agenda of development of our country. A widely known fact is that water is life and sanitation is dignity and for this reason the government remains committed to the provision of portable water and sanitation services to numerous people due to the socio-economic benefits it offers to the Ghanaian people” Mr. Letsa posited.
Poor sanitation according to the Volta Regional Minister comes with health problems, thus the establishment of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to coordinate activities in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector which he says has culminated in the policy of government to establish integrated recycling and compost plant in the 16 regions of the country.
Mr. Letsa was particularly happy the construction of the plant will not help improve sanitation in the region but will also provide numerous job opportunities for the people which according to him are one of the priorities of the government.
For his part, the Ho Municipal Director of Health, Joseph Obeng Owusu, was hopeful that the project will help improve and sustain the gains made in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector over the years.
Story: Eric Boateng
