In a significant move towards addressing the pressing issue of waste management in the sub-region, Members of Parliament from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) visited the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant on July 30, 2024. The visit was a crucial step towards exploring innovative solutions to the environmental challenges facing West Africa.

Background

The ECOWAS Parliament has been actively engaged in addressing environmental concerns, recognizing the impact of waste management on the health, economy, and well-being of citizens in the sub-region. The visit to the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant was part of a broader initiative to identify best practices and scalable solutions for sustainable waste management.

The Facility Tour

The delegation, comprising legislators from the ECOWAS Parliament committees on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, and Infrastructure, was given a comprehensive tour of the facility. They witnessed firsthand the processing of urban waste into valuable end products, including organic manure, plastic pellets, and recyclable materials like papers and metal scraps.

The Accra Compost and Recycling Plant has a processing capacity of 600 tonnes per day, making it a model for sustainable waste management in the sub-region. The facility utilizes modern technology for waste sorting and composting, showcasing a viable solution for reducing plastic waste in the environment and water bodies.

The visit was described as an “eye-opener” by the Chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, Mamadou Sako, who expressed hope that Ghana’s sustainable waste management practices could be adopted in other ECOWAS member states. The MPs were impressed by the facility’s efficiency and the potential for replication in other countries.

The visit highlighted the importance of:

1. Sustainable waste management practices
2. Innovative solutions for reducing plastic waste
3. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing among ECOWAS member states
4. Investment in modern technology for waste sorting and composting

Future Plans

The Accra Compost and Recycling Plant has plans to expand its operations to all 16 regions of Ghana, with 12 regions already having plants fully installed and 10 operational. This expansion has the potential to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and contribute to a cleaner environment.