Editorial

Major waste crisis imminent as landfill sites are choked

Published

4 months ago

July 11, 2026

In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.

Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.

Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.

The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.

The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.

Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.

Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.

Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.

Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.

According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.

As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.

The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.

It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.

We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.

In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.

Editorial

Drug abuse among Ghanaian youth: The silent crisis destroying our future

Published

3 days ago

October 31, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Dear Editor,

On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.

Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.

Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.

Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.

A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.

Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.

This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.

Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.

Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.

The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.

Richard
Kumasi

Editorial

Fight against breast cancer requires more action than awareness

Published

3 days ago

October 31, 2026

WeeklySpectator

BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.

During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”

However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.

If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.

Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.

A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.

Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.

To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.

A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.

While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.

Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.

Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.

Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.

They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.

However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.

This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.

Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.

It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.

Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.

By Spectator Reporter

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