The Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) has provided timely assistance to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Ashanti Region as part of its extensive desilting initiative.
This project aims to clear debris and dredge approximately 17 flood-prone areas within the Greater Kumasi enclave ahead of the rainy season, a proactive measure to mitigate flooding in the city.
Launched on May 21, the initiative has already seen desilting exercises in several locations, including Airport Roundabout, Anloga Junction, Pelele, and Parkoso.
KCARP, widely known as the largest recycling plant in Africa, is committed to protecting lives and property while safeguarding the environment through sustainable solutions.
Understanding the devastating impact of flooding on communities, the company believed that, it was prudent to contribute to this project to prevent such disasters.
Eugene Amo-Asamoah, the Business Development and Communications Manager at KCARP, noted that, many drains are not only obstructed by debris but are also clogged with plastics, metals, and paper, exacerbating the flooding issue.
He explained that KCARP offered to receive, segregate, and process the debris removed from the drains, as NADMO did not have an appropriate place to channel the waste.
“As a waste management company, we thought it was prudent to partner with NADMO to ensure that after desilting, there is a proper channel for the debris,” he stated in an interview with Orange News regarding the initiative.
Mr. Amo-Asamoah also pointed out that, with their state-of-the-art technological systems, the waste will not merely be discarded but will undergo proper processing.
The initiative is already underway, with tipper trucks delivering mixed waste that must be sorted before proceeding to the recycling process.
Mr. Amo-Asamoah expressed KCARP’s commitment to supporting such important initiatives.
Mohammed Nashir Ibrahim, the Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, commended KCARP for its support, noting that it will significantly enhance their efforts.
He urged other organizations to follow KCARP’s example to help drastically reduce flooding-related disasters in the region.
The residents of Bekwai and its surrounding areas will soon find relief from waste management challenges, as the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) has initiated feasibility studies to establish a mini-processing plant in the area.
The research is expected to conclude within a month, paving the way for this much-needed project.
The Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Lawyer Ralp Poku Adusei, played a crucial role in facilitating collaborative efforts for this initiative.
He proposed the idea to the management of KCARP during a visit by Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources to the company in April.
As the Deputy Ranking Member, his aim was to extend their services to his constituency.
A meeting was subsequently arranged between officials from the recycling plant, led by Business Development and Communications Manager, Mr. Eugene Amo-Asamoah, the Member of Parliament, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bekwai, Salifu Issaka.
The goal was to explore solutions to the waste management issues in the area.
The discussions were fruitful, and KCARP is now actively engaged in data collection to ensure the viability of the initiative.
Eugene Amo-Asamoah stated that as part of their engagement, they visited several communities to assess waste generation levels and to properly characterize the types of waste produced daily.
This information will help determine whether to establish a transfer station or a mini-recycling plant.
Neighbouring areas, including Fomena and Jacobu, will also benefit from the project once completed.
“It was a holistic discussion, and we visited key waste generation points, as well as the land earmarked for the project. The MP, the MCE, and all stakeholders were pleased with our visit. We still have a team on the ground collecting primary and secondary data from stakeholders and technical experts,” he indicated.
KCARP, the largest facility in Africa, is generally operating within the Greater Kumasi enclave.
However, this proposed expansion will significantly alleviate the waste challenges faced by residents in the area.
Parliament today opened with a strong reminder from Speaker Alban Bagbin that parliamentary privilege does not equate to immunity from lawful investigations. Addressing members during the 1st Sitting of the 2nd Meeting of the 1st Session of the 9th Parliament of the 4th Republic, the Speaker urged discipline, presence, and accountability among the parliamentarians.
Bagbin cautioned that the conduct of members must not undermine the sanctity of the House. “The business of this house is too important to be derailed by conduct that serves no public purpose,” he said.
He made it clear that “the honeymoon with the rules is over,” promising that he and the deputy speakers will strictly enforce the standing orders.
In parliament today, Bagbin also directed first-time MPs to focus on committee work. He noted that effectiveness is measured by what happens away from the cameras. He said, “It is easy to be caught up in the visibility of the chamber, the cameras, the headlines, the drama of plenary, but the real test of your effectiveness lies backstage in your committee work. It is in committee rooms away from the spotlight that legislation is sharpened, oversight is enforced, and the real work of parliament is executed.”
Bagbin encouraged members to join debates, attend meetings, and ask difficult questions. He reminded all MPs that “the real work will not always make the news headlines, but it will always make a difference.”
Speaker warns against misuse of parliamentary privilege
The speaker in parliament today also turned his attention to an increasing number of official requests from law enforcement and investigative bodies directed at the House. These requests, Speaker Bagbin said, must be treated with seriousness.
He said while some matters relate to allegations before those accused became members of the house, others concerned conduct alleged while members were/are in the house. He noted that both categories affect the public’s perception of Parliament’s integrity.
The Speaker declared that “parliamentary privilege is not immunity from lawful inquiry.”
He explained that the immunity granted to members is meant to protect legislative independence, not to hinder justice.
Bagbin assured members while in parliament today that while the immunity granted to them will defend against unlawful or politically motivated persecution, it will not shelter anyone seeking to obstruct investigations.
“I will not shelter anybody here in that direction,” he emphasized. Bagbin reiterated that while constitutional protections will be upheld, privilege cannot be confused with impunity, noting that Parliament requires its rules and privileges to be respected.
Fraud in Ghana’s embassy operations has prompted the temporary closure of the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C.
On May 26, 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa confirmed the development on his official social media platform, explaining that a local staff member at the embassy had been running a fraudulent scheme for at least five years.
Mr. Fred Kwarteng Accused of Diverting Embassy Services
According to Ablakwa, Mr. Fred Kwarteng, who was employed on August 11, 2017, to support the embassy’s IT infrastructure, created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website. This link diverted visa and passport applicants to his private business, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged unapproved fees.
“According to findings and his own admission, he created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, which diverted visa and passport applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC) where he charged extra for multiple services on the blind side of the ministry and kept the entire proceeds in his private account,” the minister wrote.
The fees ranged from $29.75 to $60, charges that were not approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Parliament, violating the Fees and Charges Act.
Ablakwa stressed that this fraudulent activity continued for at least five years, undetected by oversight bodies.
In response to this fraud in Ghana’s diplomatic mission, Ablakwa announced several immediate actions. These include:
Immediate dismissal of Mr. Fred Kwarteng.
Full recall of all Foreign Affairs Ministry staff posted to the embassy.
Dissolution of the embassy’s IT department.
Suspension of all locally recruited staff at the Washington, D.C. mission.
The Auditor-General has also been called in to conduct a forensic examination of all embassy transactions. This investigation aims to determine the total amount of money illegally obtained through the scheme.
Embassy to Resume Operations on May 29th, 2025
Despite the fraud in Ghana’s Washington embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the mission will reopen on Thursday, May 29. Full consular services will resume, and visa and passport applicants are advised to expect improved transparency.
The Foreign Ministry acknowledged the inconvenience caused to Ghanaians abroad and other service users. However, it maintains that these radical actions were necessary to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s foreign missions.
The Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Secretariat has announced new changes to the school selection process for BECE 2025 candidates. The announcement was made by the secretariat’s coordinator, Benita Sena Okity-Duah, during a public briefing on the updated guidelines for placing students into senior high and TVET schools.
She explained that in consultation with parents, guardians, and school authorities, BECE 2025 candidates who wish to enter SHS or TVET schools must select seven schools in total. She said candidates should select their most preferred choice first.
Okity-Duah said candidates must also choose two alternative schools from Appendix 3, in case they are not placed in any of their five main choices.
“Candidates may select one Category B school as a boarding school and another Category B school as a day school. Candidates may also select one Category C school as boarding and another Category C school as day.”
She further emphasized that placement choices made by candidates will not be changed under any circumstances.
Strict Category Rules and TVET Considerations for BECE 2025
Okity-Duah noted that BECE 2025 candidates cannot choose more than one school from Category A. Additionally, selecting five schools from Category C is not allowed unless the student wishes to pursue pure TVET programs.
“Candidates who wish to offer pure TVET programs must select five schools from Category C,” she said.
Those interested in programs linked to specific career paths, such as engineering, medicine, and space sciences, must select STEM science programs from Categories A, B, or C, either as day or boarding students.
She urged parents and guardians to keep a copy of the school selection form and submit the rest. “The school selection form must be signed off by a parent or guardian and submitted to the head teacher of the JHS attending.”
Parental Involvement Stressed for BECE 2025 Selection
The Secretariat urged parents to take an active role in the school selection process, noting that making a good selection is very important to the education of children.
“I would urge parents and guardians to spend some time off their busy schedules to undertake this exercise. It’s very, very important.”
She added that knowing a child’s performance is key to making informed choices for BECE 2025 placements.
The Kejetia Market may soon be swallowed by waste as one of its two spacious waste rooms is being converted into shops for commercial activities by alleged supporters of the NDC.
A video spotted by Orange FM shows that the space is being transformed into shopping structures.
The two waste rooms, one located near the PZ side and the other facing the Achamfour Market, are crucial for managing waste at the market.
Since the NDC took power, the Achamfour waste room has reportedly been closed for cleaning and repairs, leading to questions from market operators about the prolonged timeline for these actions.
As waste continues to accumulate, it has become essential to channel it into the waste room for temporary storage before it is collected at night.
However, waste collectors and cleaning staff have been forced to convey the waste to the PZ side instead, which has been a source of frustration.
Upon investigation by members of the traders’ unions, it was discovered that the Achamfour waste room is not being repaired as claimed, but is instead being repurposed for shops.
This revelation has sparked concern among stakeholders at the market.
Traders who spoke to Orange FM expressed that this situation is troubling and requires immediate attention from the city authorities, particularly the Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi.
Plastics are identified by recycling codes, and there are seven main types you should be aware of: PETE (1), HDPE (2), PVC (3), LDPE (4), PP (5), PS (6), and Other (7).
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): This type of plastic is often transparent and is commonly used for beverage bottles, food containers, and some packaging. It is generally recyclable.
2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): HDPE is used for items like milk jugs, cleaning products, and certain toys. It is widely accepted in recycling programs.
3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is found in pipes, windows, and some types of packaging. This plastic can be challenging to recycle and is often avoided in food packaging due to the possibility of chemical leaching.
4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Flexible in nature, LDPE is used for plastic bags, grocery bags, and certain packaging materials. It is not always recyclable.
5. PP (Polypropylene): Used for yogurt containers, straws, and some food packaging, polypropylene is heat-resistant and often accepted in recycling programs.
6. PS (Polystyrene): Polystyrene is used for Styrofoam, food containers, and some packaging. Recycling this type of plastic can be difficult.
7. Other: This category includes a diverse range of plastics that do not fit into the other six categories. It encompasses materials like polycarbonate, PLA, and some mixed plastics. Generally, these are not recyclable.
Understanding these types of plastics can help you make more informed choices about recycling and reducing plastic waste.
President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the urgent need for disciplined debt restructuring to revive Ghana’s economy. Speaking during his keynote speech at the Ghana CEO Summit in Accra, he outlined plans to stabilize the economy, stressing that past fiscal mismanagement necessitated bold reforms.
He lamented the abandonment of safeguards established by his 2013–2016 administration. “From 2013 to 2016, Ghana issued four euro bonds, all without default, and these were anchored in a sinking fund mechanism designed to ensure repayment. We applied about $335 million from our oil-funded sinking fund to settle maturing euro bond liabilities. Before we left office, we left sufficient reserves, enabling the next administration that came after us to pay off the balance in 2017 of the 2007 bond without distress.
Tragically, this architecture was dismantled. Between 2017 and 2022, debt accumulation skyrocketed, and yet the framework to ensure repayment was abandoned,” he said. Mahama attributed Ghana’s economic crisis to weak debt restructuring frameworks, opaque collateralization, and eroded investor confidence. “Investors, businesses, and pensioners suffered crushing losses through the domestic debt exchange program, with crude haircuts eroding trust in the financial system.”
To reverse this, Mahama proposed;
Strict IMF program adherence
President John Dramani Mahama pledged to reopen capital markets, linking borrowing to viable projects to avoid unsustainable debt restructuring burdens. He said, “We expect to conclude the fourth review of the IMF program in June 2025, with a target to exit at the end of the program in 2026.” He hinted that after the IMF program, the policy support instrument framework will be used to signal Ghana’s return to responsible, non-borrowing engagement with the fund.
Reopening domestic and international capital markets.
President Mahama said his administration was working to reopen Ghana’s own markets in collaboration with the IMF and our development partners, the Ghana Stock Exchange, and local banks.
He said future borrowing will be linked to self-financing, commercially viable projects, particularly by MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs, ensuring value for money and sustainable repayment.
Strengthening sovereign funds and local government financing.
“We’ll amend the Public Finance Shell Management Act and Constitution to make contributions to the sinking and stabilization funds mandatory,” he said.
President John Mahama said a certain percentage of funds will be committed to sinking and stabilization funds, with MMDAs required to issue infrastructure and municipal bonds secured against a portion of their district assembly’s common fund to fund infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, water systems, and local industry in their districts.
Clearing verified arrears and rationalizing public investment.
The president mentioned that a report on arrears and government commitments from the auditor general is expected by the end of May, after which his administration will commence to clear legitimate arrears transparently and enforce commitment controls.
However, the President was emphatic that “new projects will be prioritized based on need, funding availability, and alignment with our national interests.”
5. Accelerating public financial management reforms
To curb corruption, the president said his administration will reactivate stored reforms, including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Tax Administration System, and real-time budget monitoring tools.
6. Revitalizing exports through Ghana EXIM Bank
President Mahama detailed how EXIM Bank will be repositioned to prioritize funding for agro-processing, light manufacturing, and SMEs as part of broader efforts to enhance foreign exchange earnings and create employment opportunities in Ghana’s real economy.
The president also announced the rollout of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, which will channel substantial investments into high-value tree crop cultivation. The initiative will target oil palm, cocoa, cashew, shea, and other premium agricultural commodities.
Mahama emphasized Ghana’s favorable position in global commodity markets, noting the strong performance of the country’s two major export products. “With two of our major export commodities, gold and cocoa, enjoying a good run in international markets, we will build our reserves and buffers to create the resilience to withstand any future global shocks,” he indicated.
7. Building Ghana into a regional hub for trade and investment.
President Mahama said his administration envisions Ghana as West Africa’s commercial, transport, and digital services hub.
He said research will prioritize port expansion, financial services, health, education, and industrial corridors, linking Ghanaian businesses to the African Continental Free Trade Area and beyond.
8. Infrastructure development to stimulate growth
A key proposal by the President involved infrastructure development. He said, “Infrastructure investment is not optional.
We’ll resume priority projects in the roads, energy, water, housing, and urban renewal sectors.” The president emphasized that these projects will be prioritized “not through reckless borrowing but through innovative financing systems.” He highlighted projects like the Big Push as ways through which these projects will be strategically carried out.
Sanitation is a critical issue, yet efforts to combat it often seem like a mirage.
Nearly all urban centers in Ghana are overwhelmed by the vast quantities of waste generated daily.
Both organic and inorganic waste materials inundate many areas.
According to data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in October 2022, Ghana generates about 12,710 tonnes of solid waste every day, with only 10 percent collected and disposed of properly.
However, the most significant challenge facing cities is plastic waste, with over one million tons generated annually and only about five percent recycled.
Though the issue is severe, the efforts to address it appear to be cosmetic.
Why Are These Efforts Cosmetic and Not Real?
Over the years, successive governments have launched initiatives designating the first Saturday of each month as Sanitation Day.
In November 2014, then-President John Dramani Mahama declared this day National Sanitation Day in response to a cholera outbreak that claimed over 150 lives that year.
This initiative aimed to demonstrate the government’s commitment to promoting sanitation nationwide.
However, as the years passed, the significance of the day faded, and sanitation issues became sidelined.
In November 2017, then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reintroduced a similar campaign to tackle the country’s sanitation challenges, urging the public to prioritize cleanliness every day.
Yet, by the end of his eight-year term, the situation had not improved and may have even worsened.
If these initiatives were real, why does the sanitation situation continue to deteriorate day after day?
Big events are often held amid fanfare, with taxpayers’ money invested in these initiatives, but within weeks, months, or years, the issues return to square one.
While Ghana’s National Sanitation Day was intended to address sanitation issues, it often appears more cosmetic than effective in tackling the root causes of poor sanitation.
Although clean-up efforts can be beneficial, they do not address systemic problems such as inadequate access to improved sanitation, lack of infrastructure, and poor waste management practices.
Sanitation has become more of an event rather than a daily responsibility.
Citizens now wait for authorities to announce clean-up days instead of taking personal responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings.
Drains, streams, and markets are frequently overwhelmed with waste, leading to flooding after heavy rains.
People often seem unconcerned, and waiting for the next scheduled clean-up exercise.
After launching these Sanitation Days and once the activities for the day end, many people go back to sleep, waiting for a new minister or president to relaunch the next sanitation day.
Why are different leaders initiating the same activity with no proper results? This is absolutely unreasonable.
Cities are sometimes only cleaned ahead of major events, including big funerals, festivals, or presidential visits.
Postponement of Sanitation Day
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, announced that the National Sanitation Day (NSD) was rescheduled from April 5 to Saturday, May 3, 2025.
He explained that the clean-up efforts would be treated as an emergency operation, with strong backing from environmental service providers and the government to ensure nationwide participation.
However, April 5 and May 3 have passed, yet the day has not been launched. Does this not explain the laxity and inaction of authorities regarding waste management in the country?
The Financial Cost of Poor Sanitation in Ghana
According to a desk study by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) of the World Bank, poor sanitation costs Ghana approximately 420 million Cedis annually, equivalent to about US$290 million.
This figure translates to roughly US$12 per person per year, or 1.6% of the national GDP.
The economic burden of poor sanitation disproportionately affects the most vulnerable segments of the population, underscoring the severity of this long-standing issue.
Sanitary Inspectors in the 1990s
In the 1990s, Sanitary Inspectors, known locally as “Tankas” or “Samansaman,” were instrumental in enforcing cleanliness and encouraging the community to maintain hygienic practices.
Sanitation defaulters faced immediate penalties, either through summons or fines, depending on the severity of the issue.
People respected these inspectors, which led to significant improvements in sanitation.
However, when their powers were transferred to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, the situation began to decline.
The problem has since escalated into a national crisis.
Some Ghanaians are calling for a return to such initiatives, but the question remains: will they be effective now as they were in the past?
Written by Fatawu Bayaga: Plastic & Sanitation Journalist
Drinking hot Kooko from a plastic bag is equivalent to smoking 36 sticks of cigarettes, according to Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Dr. Nyantakyi explained that the strong chemical bonds in plastic can release harmful petrochemicals into food when exposed to high temperatures.
“Literature has it that, if you drink Kooko, contain in a plastic bag is equivalent to taking 36 sticks of cigarette. The reason is that we have these strong bonds putting the polymers together, so when you expose it to excessive temperatures, the petrochemicals begin to release harmful substances into the food,” he stated.
Plastic waste has become a significant challenge in Ghana, affecting nearly every community.
The country generates over one million tons of plastic waste annually, with only 2 to 5 percent being recycled.
A large portion of this waste, primarily single-use plastics like bags, bottles, and sachets, is poorly managed and often ends up in landfills, waterways, and the ocean, posing serious risks to ecosystems, marine life, and human health.
To address this issue, the EPA has intensified public awareness campaigns both online and offline.
Dr. Nyantakyi noted that plastic bags are prevalent today, driven by the increasing population and daily plastic consumption.
In market areas, the situation is even more alarming, as shoppers often return home with multiple plastic bags, sometimes as many as ten.
“Our life will be miserable without plastics, we need them, they’re indispensable, we just have to manage their usage properly,” he noted.
The Principal Corporate Affairs Officer of the Authority, Felicia Gyamfi Karikari, stated that the EPA recently organized a stakeholder discussion with industry players to effectively address the issue of plastic waste.
She noted that participants were informed about the potential of plastic waste, stating that it can be recycled into various products, including waste bins, to promote proper disposal of materials.
The Corporate Affairs Officer also stated the need for a change in public behavior to significantly mitigate this challenge.
Historically, leaves and paper have been used in Ghana as alternatives to plastic for food packaging.
A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicates that a majority (62%) of surveyed individuals preferred using leaves (like those used for waakye, a popular Ghanaian dish) for food packaging, followed by reusable containers (21%) and paper (13%).
