The 80-acre land that was reclaimed from onion sellers at Agbogbloshie in Accra some three years ago is now used as an open defecation and dumpsite. Although the land has been fenced, the wall appears only to protect the space from encroachment. RGG News was at the site to assess the sanitation situation at Agbogbloshie an area in Accra, which was known for its electronic waste (e-waste).
It was home to a large informal e-waste recycling enclave where electronic devices are dismantled and some components burnt in the open to extract valuable materials leading to air pollution. Run-off water from the site also contaminates nearby water sources. It is to make the area safe, decongest and also develop the site that the Greater
Accra regional minister in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating council decided to relocate the scrap dealers as well as the onion sellers in 2021. It was part of an initiative dubbed “Let’s Make Accra Work”.
Under the initiative is a re-development scheme that was to ensure the establishment of a modern health facility on a portion of the land.
Three years on, however the 80-acre parcel of land has now become a site for open defecation and an unauthorized dumpsite. RGG observed that the entire area is engulfed with filth and other toxic waste.
Although it has been fenced, the walls appear only to protect the space from encroachment. A scrap dealer, Seidu Alhassan, said they dispose of the waste materials after sorting out their electronic waste.
He was also concerned about the improper disposal of refuse and burning on the site which is a health hazard to them especially to children who come to play on the football park.
King David is a refuse collector who has been in the business for six years. He says he makes a living from collecting refuse and this is where he dumps the rubbish, and sorts out some useful items for sale.
Efforts by local and international organizations to address the environmental and health challenges in Agbogbloshie seem out of reach.
Environmentalists believe policy reforms, and collaboration between all partners including the government and the private sector could make plans to transform and redevelop the site materialize.
