The Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association has raised alarm over what it describes as a worsening waste disposal crisis in Accra, revealing that some tricycle operators are forced to wait for days before they can offload refuse at the city’s only functioning dump site.
According to the Association, the situation has severely disrupted waste collection services, increased operational costs, and is threatening sanitation efforts across the capital.
The General Secretary of the Association, Max H. Jumbo, said the closure of several dumping sites has left operators with only one disposal facility to serve the entire Greater Accra Region.
“As we speak, only one dumping site is serving Accra, compared to the 17 operational sites the city had in 2023.”
He explained that the limited disposal infrastructure has resulted in unusually long queues, with hundreds of refuse-laden tricycles spending several hours and in some cases days waiting to gain access to the dumping site.
The Association says the delays mean many operators are unable to complete multiple collection trips daily, significantly affecting their income while slowing refuse collection in communities.
Mr. Jumbo attributed the growing crisis to inadequate investment in waste management infrastructure by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“Most Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies are not giving waste management the attention it deserves.”
He noted that operators are now spending more on fuel while travelling longer distances to dispose of waste, expenses he said are becoming unsustainable.
The Association also warned that the current situation is contributing to Accra’s recurring flooding, arguing that delayed waste disposal increases the likelihood of refuse ending up in drains and waterways.
“We collect your waste to protect public health. Respect our work and the people behind it.”
The Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association is therefore urging government, local assemblies and waste management authorities to urgently establish additional transfer stations and rehabilitate access roads to existing disposal sites to ease congestion, improve sanitation and prevent a major public health crisis.
