The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has unveiled two new refuse compactor trucks to boost waste collection, reduce the accumulation of refuse and improve sanitation services across the capital.

The six-wheel-drive, rear-loading trucks were acquired at a total cost of about GH¢2.4 million and commissioned by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, at a ceremony held at the AMA headquarters in Accra.

Each truck has a carrying capacity of about 20 cubic metres, a compaction ratio of between 3:1 and 4:1, and a payload capacity of between 9,500 and 10,000 kilogrammes. They are fitted with manual, electric and wireless remote-control operating systems to improve efficiency in waste collection.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr Ibrahim commended the Mayor, Assembly Members, directors and staff of the AMA for improving service delivery despite inheriting significant financial and legal challenges.

He said the Assembly had previously struggled with garnished accounts, judgement debts, unpaid legal fees and several court cases, but had gradually stabilised its finances and strengthened its ability to undertake development projects.

While describing the acquisition as a step in the right direction, the Minister said two trucks alone would not be enough to meet the sanitation demands of the capital.

He urged the Assembly to work towards acquiring at least five or six refuse compactors to improve waste collection across the metropolis.

Mr Ibrahim said that effective waste management requires strong collaboration between central government, metropolitan assemblies and private waste-management companies, noting that neither the public nor the private sector could tackle the challenge alone.

He also called on neighbouring municipal assemblies to invest in their own sanitation equipment instead of depending heavily on the AMA to collect waste generated within their jurisdictions.

According to him, Accra's position as the country's commercial hub means the Assembly manages refuse generated not only by residents but also by traders, commuters and visitors from across Greater Accra and other parts of the country.

The Minister assured the Assembly that the Ministry would continue exploring ways to support the AMA because of the unique sanitation burden it bears as the authority responsible for the capital's central business district.

He also appealed to residents to help keep the city clean by reporting indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, on roads and at unauthorised locations through the Assembly's hotline, 0544 914 628, to enable prompt enforcement action.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for making funds available to support the Assembly's sanitation and development programmes.

He disclosed that the AMA did not own a single refuse compactor when he assumed office and had relied largely on rented equipment and services from private waste-management companies.

According to the Mayor, the continuous rental of sanitation equipment was expensive and unsustainable, making it necessary for the Assembly to begin building its own fleet.

Mr Allotey also said that sanitation management should not be limited by administrative boundaries, saying all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies share responsibility for keeping the capital clean.

He acknowledged public concerns over the poor maintenance of government-owned equipment and disclosed that the Assembly is taking steps to establish its own mechanical workshop to maintain its growing fleet of sanitation vehicles and equipment.