This development has raised concerns about a potential sanitation crisis in the capital, Accra.
Originally designed to receive 500 metric tonnes of waste per day, the landfill is currently handling volumes far beyond its intended limit. The excessive inflow has placed enormous strain on infrastructure at the facility, increasing the risk of environmental contamination, including groundwater pollution, air quality deterioration from uncontrolled emissions, and the potential spread of disease.
During a tour of the site on Monday February 23, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, acknowledged the urgency of the situation and announced that the Ministry will develop new strategies within the next month to address the mounting pressure on the landfill.
“We cannot allow the situation to deteriorate into a public health emergency. Immediate and coordinated measures are required to protect residents and ensure a sustainable waste management system for the Greater Accra Region,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the government is committed to working closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, as well as private waste management firms, to implement both short-term and long-term solutions.
Authorities are expected to consider several emergency and structural interventions, including identifying and developing alternative landfill sites, expanding waste segregation at source, strengthening recycling and composting initiatives, and increasing private sector participation in waste processing and recovery.
Environmental experts warn that continued overreliance on a single disposal site is unsustainable, particularly as rapid urbanization and population growth in Accra continue to drive higher waste generation rates. Without immediate action, uncollected waste could accumulate in communities, leading to blocked drains, flooding, and outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases.
Residents are being urged to play their part by adopting responsible waste disposal practices, reducing household waste, separating recyclables, and complying with local sanitation regulations.
The situation at Kpone highlights broader structural challenges within Ghana’s waste management framework. Stakeholders say the crisis presents an opportunity to accelerate investment in modern waste treatment technologies and circular economy approaches that reduce dependence on landfills.
Failure to act swiftly, authorities caution, could result in widespread sanitation challenges across the Greater Accra Region, with serious environmental, economic and public health consequences.