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Accra’s waste problem worsened after transfer stations were closed-Okoe Vanderpuije
Former Accra Mayor and Ablekuma South MP, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has revealed that Accra’s waste management challenges became worse after waste transfer stations in the city were closed.
Speaking in an interview at TV3 on Sunday August 2, 2026, he said that during his tenure as Mayor, all waste management companies operating in Accra were registered and given contracts to collect refuse.
According to him, operators of tricycles, popularly known as “aboboyaa,” were required to take waste to designated transfer stations, where waste management companies would collect it and transport it to final disposal sites.
“We developed the transfer stations so that aboboyaa operators would collect refuse and bring it there, and the waste management companies would take it to the final destination,” he stated.
Dr Vanderpuije said the system worked during his time in office and that all the transfer stations remained operational until the recent floods.
He expressed concern that some aboboyaa operators are now dumping refuse indiscriminately while local assemblies fail to enforce sanitation regulations.
He said his administration gave strict instructions that waste should only be dumped at approved transfer stations.
The former mayor also revealed that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly had developed a broader waste and drainage improvement plan known as the “Conti Project.”
According to him, the project included the construction of scientifically engineered waste management centres, the reconstruction of old drainage systems, dredging of major drains such as the Odaw, and improvements to roads linked to waste disposal facilities.
He argued that if the project had been fully implemented, Accra would have had a more effective and modern waste management system.
Dr Vanderpuije blamed the current situation partly on a lack of continuity in policy implementation after his tenure ended.
Asked why later interventions had not solved the problem, he said governments had failed to adopt a comprehensive approach.
“We have not done a comprehensive approach,” he said, explaining that drainage, refuse collection, waste disposal and road infrastructure should be addressed together rather than separately.
He raised concerns about the current administrative structure of Accra, which has been divided into several metropolitan and municipal assemblies.
According to him, stronger coordination is needed among the assemblies, led by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and the responsible minister, to develop and implement a unified waste management strategy for the capital.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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