President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that, his government is determined to show support and assist any private company which is ready to help advance the progress of Ghana.
The President made this statement while cutting the sod for work to begin on the Upper East solid waste treatment facility at Sherigu in the Bolgatanga East District.
“I want to reiterate that, I am particularly keen to assist any private company which is ready to advance the progress of this country”
The Plant, which is being established by the Jospong Group and its partners, in collaboration with government, is estimated to cost some fifteen million euros (€15 million).
Upon completion, the plant will receive, sort, and process two hundred tonnes of solid waste within the Upper East Region.
The President noted that, benefits to be accrued from the project include the effective and efficient management of municipal solid waste, the production of organic compost for horticultural and agronomical purposes, reduction in the high rate of plastic pollution, and the processing of recyclable fractions of the total waste such as paper, plastic and metal for reuse.
“Equally more important will be the provision of jobs for the youth of this community and its environs, which will help improve the local economy.”
The President said that, the waste treatment facilities across the regions are very important and added that the facilities will help deal with waste management in the country.
He applauded the collaboration among the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) for their efforts to ensure that all the 16 regions had a share of the plant.
He indicated that the compost recycling plants will help safeguard the sanctity of the environment and ensure that Ghanaians are always healthy.
The President went on to describe the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and the Executive Chairman of JGC, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZGL, Mr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, as “two exceptional Ghanaians that we must continue to support.”
The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, also speaking at the sod-cutting disclosed that, the Upper East Region generates 782 tonnes of solid waste a day and added that, it would be a very good source of raw materials for the compost and recycling plant to be built in the region.
She further said that, there is the need for the private sector to fill in the value chain in the collection and transportation of solid waste in the region and also charged the assemblies in the region to collaborate effectively with Zoomlion to make sure the solid waste was properly collected and sent to the treatment plant.
The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Mr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, said, upon completion, the facility will offer 75 and 205 direct and indirect jobs respectively to the youth in the region.
He also praised the chief of Sherigu and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bolga East Municipal Assembly for making available a 100-acre land for the project.
He revealed that, work will start immediately the President cuts the sod, and the facility would be completed within four months.
