The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan, last Thursday (August 15, 2024) visited the Western Region's Wastewater Treatment Plant and Medical Waste Treatment Facility.
Following her tour, Madam Alhassan expressed satisfaction with the facilities' operations, noting that they are functioning effectively and align with the region's development goals.
"These facilities provide a sustainable solution to the uncontrolled dumping of medical waste and faecal sludge," she said.
She highlighted the government's plans to collaborate with the private sector to invest in the sanitation sector, aiming to establish more facilities nationwide.
The visit was part of the Minister's familiarization tour, which she undertook after assuming office in May this year, aimed at gaining first-hand insight into development projects in the region.
Madam Alhassan stressed the importance of such plants in supporting development goals, particularly in treating waste from Tarkwa, Nzema, and Ahanta.
She mentioned the upcoming operation of the IRECOP facility, which has been delayed due to capacity upgrades. The facility will recycle about 90% of the region's waste and generate employment opportunities.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, noted that the projects are now operational, with the facility processing 10 trucks of waste daily and aiming to direct more waste to the facility.
He added that the plant also produces end products that meet international standards.
The €20 million Takoradi Wastewater Treatment Plant, a joint project involving Jospong Group, Pureco Kft, Ecosteryl, Sewage Systems Ghana Ltd, and the Ministry of Sanitation, aims to transform waste management systems in the region. The facility treats 10,000 cubic metres of faecal matter daily using European technology.
The project includes a centralized medical waste treatment plant to collect and treat hazardous healthcare waste.
The Minister also inspected the Sekondi-Takoradi water expansion project in Daboase, which is about 65 percent complete.