The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has challenged the government over its reported decision to relocate waste from Agbogbloshie to a facility in the Nsawam area, questioning the rationale behind selecting the community when other waste treatment facilities are available.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, Annoh-Dompreh called on the Majority Leader to use his office to engage the Minister responsible for Local Government and bring him before the House to explain the government’s policy and the considerations behind the proposed movement of waste to the area.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP said he had previously engaged the Majority Leader, James Agalga on the matter and suggested that the Local Government Minister, Mahama Ayariga be scheduled to appear before Parliament to provide clarification on the policy. He insisted that the concerns of residents must not be overlooked, particularly when decisions with potential environmental and public health implications are being made about their communities.
Annoh-Dompreh questioned why waste from the city would be transported to the Nsawam area when, according to him, Amasaman already has a major waste treatment facility. He demanded an explanation for what he described as the bypassing of an existing facility in favour of bringing the waste closer to his constituency.
“Why is it that Amasaman has a big waste treatment plant and you jump Amasaman and bring all the waste to his home? Why? What is my wrong?” he asked during the parliamentary debate.
The Minority Chief Whip also rejected what he considered attempts to intimidate him over his position on the matter, repeating that he would continue to raise the concerns of his constituents.
“You cannot intimidate me. You cannot intimidate me,” he declared, making it clear that he would not be discouraged from demanding answers from the government.
He further appealed to the Majority Leader to reach out to the Local Government Minister, whom he described as a respected former leader, and ensure that he appeared before Parliament to explain the policy.
Annoh-Dompreh’s concerns follow opposition from residents in the affected community, who reportedly addressed the media last month to express their displeasure over the proposed waste relocation. The community’s reaction brought the matter into public discussion, with residents raising concerns about the possible consequences of receiving waste transported from another location.
The development also attracted the attention of the Jospong Group of Companies, which reportedly intervened following the community’s concerns.
