Ministry of Sanitation, Zoomlion Commission Tamale Recycling Plants

The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, together with the management of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and its partners, has commissioned a 600-ton-per-day Integrated Recycling and Composting Plant and Medical waste treatment plant in Tamale of the Northern Region.

The facility established by the Jospong Group of Companies, in partnership with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, is the first of its kind in Northern Ghana and will process all types of waste from the region’s 16 MMDAs.

It is intended to provide a sustainable solution for managing of waste within the greater Tamale and its environs in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner, using a comprehensive treatment technology. It will process the waste into reusable materials such as compost, plastics materials, metals, paper, glasses among other items.

The project, started in 2020, has an installed capacity to process about 600 tons a day, and 1,200 tons on two shifts. It is estimated to create some 100 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs locally.

In addition, it will also serve as a research hub for educational institutions within and outside the region.

Speaking on behalf of his boss, the Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, highlighted the dedication of the NPP government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the waste management sector in the country.

He explained that, the Tamale Integrated Recycling and Composting Plant and Medical waste treatment plant is one of the sixteen IRECOP plants being constructed across all the regions in the country. “What we are witnessing here today is as a result of a long standing and a strong partnership between the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and Jospong Group of companies to receive and recycle waste with the aim of improving our environment.”

He commended the Executive Chairman of the JOSPONG Group of companies Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong for coming up with such an idea to complement government efforts towards improving the sanitation situation in the country.

Hon Amidu, in his remarks, also implored the management of the facility to work closely with the various MMDAs within the Northern Region to create awareness of the facility.

In his address, Dr. Agyepong, detailed the company’s rise from humble beginnings with the support of the people of Northern Ghana.

He said Zoomlion began in 2006 with a manual tricycle and has since grown significantly, building multiple waste treatment plants across the country.

He said the Tamale Integrated Recycling and Composting Plant and Medical waste treatment plant facility is expected to improve waste management in the Northern Region.

He emphasized that the project will provide sustainable employment for local communities and thanked the landowners for their contribution to the facility’s construction.

He extended his appreciation to various stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, local contractors, and international partners.

The Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, expressed gratitude to President Nana Akufo Addo and vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia for extending the project to the Northern Region. He said the commission of the plant will go a long way to address the sanitation situation in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the King of Dagbon, the Paramount Chief of the Nanton traditional area, Naa Bawa Mahamadu V, commended government and Jospong Group of companies for their unending efforts towards supporting the people of the Northern Region and the nation at large.

Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) concept promotes sustainable waste management by transforming municipal solid waste into useful resources. IRECOP facilities were also established as a result of research recommendations to meet the increasing waste creation mix in metropolitan and municipal areas.

They use advanced comprehensive and modern recycling and composting technology to convert organic waste into compost fertilizer and recycle non-organic materials.

Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana