The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) says the Oti landfill site has reached its full capacity, prompting urgent efforts to secure funding and land for new waste management facilities to serve the Ashanti Regional capital.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang, popularly known as King Zuba, revealed that the landfill can no longer sustainably accommodate the volume of waste being generated by Kumasi and surrounding districts.
According to him, about 12 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies currently dispose of refuse at the Oti landfill site, which has long exceeded its intended lifespan.
“The place is full, and because of that, when it rains, it becomes difficult to access the place,” the Mayor said.
He explained that the situation becomes particularly challenging during the rainy season, making waste disposal operations increasingly difficult.
“If you are taking a compactor to the place, it will spend about three to five minutes to tip. A tricycle will spend between 12 and 15 minutes, but they don’t even do any tipping,” he stated.
The Mayor noted that unlike compactors, tricycle operators often have to manually unload waste at the site.
“So they will remove and throw the refuse when they get to the site, then use a shovel to push it further,” he explained.
Mr. Ofori Agyemang added that the landfill’s gravel surface worsens conditions during rainfall, causing waste to spread across sections of the site.
“The ground is filled with gravel, so when it rains, the refuse overruns,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he indicated that engineers are working to ensure waste management operations continue while authorities pursue a long-term solution.
“Because of the difficulty associated with the rain, the engineers are on the ground. We are working effectively even though the landfill is full and we don’t have an alternative yet,” he noted.
To address the situation, the KMA is seeking approximately €6 million to construct two engineered waste processing facilities that could serve the metropolis for the next six years while longer-term waste management plans are developed.
The proposed facilities would include engineered waste processing cells designed to treat and process refuse into useful products rather than relying solely on landfill disposal.
Mr. Ofori Agyemang disclosed that discussions are already underway with key stakeholders to secure both funding and land for the project.
“We are engaging relevant stakeholders to seek their support in constructing a new site,” he said.
According to him, the Ashanti Regional Minister and the KMA have also initiated discussions with the Asante traditional leadership to help identify a suitable location for the facility.
“The Regional Minister and I have engaged the Asanteman Traditional Council to give us land to start engineering arrangements for the management of waste,” he revealed.
“They have told us to look around and see where it is feasible and they will assist us.”
The Mayor stressed that finding a replacement for the Oti landfill can no longer be delayed.
“Oti landfill is full, and it is time we get a new place,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that with the support of government, traditional authorities and development partners, the Assembly will be able to establish a modern waste processing system capable of meeting Kumasi’s growing sanitation needs while providing a more sustainable approach to waste management.
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