The landfill site near the Sunyani Technical University (STU), which has been posing a threat to flight safety at the Sunyani Airport, has finally been decommissioned.
The facility, which served the Sunyani Municipality for more than 30 years, left residents and nearby institutions grappling with environmental and health challenges over the period.
The evacuation of waste from the site is also expected to pave the way for the relocation of scrap dealers operating near the Nana Bosoma Market to the reclaimed land, as part of efforts to support the government’s 24-hour market project.
During a visit to the site last Saturday, the supervisor and site engineer, Mr Abdul Razak, told The Ghanaian Times that all waste generated in the municipality would now be transported to a recycling plant at Wawasua for processing.
He said the evacuation exercise was being carried out by the Sunyani Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Sunyani Traditional Council.
According to him, the exercise, which began in December last year, was being executed in phases and was expected to be completed in the coming days.
Mr Razak explained that the work had faced delays due to fuel shortages but was now nearing completion. He added that the Assembly had appealed to the Sunyani Scrap Dealers Association to support the exercise to speed up the process.
The Sunyani Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr Nti Ameyaw, said the government had signed an agreement with the Jospong Group of Companies last year to manage waste generated in the Bono Region at the Wawasua recycling plant.
He explained that some of the waste was currently being processed into compost and recyclable materials.
For residents living near the landfill, the development has brought relief after years of discomfort.
One resident, Madam Mary Gyamfua, said the evacuation had eased the burden on her family, who had endured offensive odours and mosquito infestation for years.
She recalled that for the past two years, the stench from the dump forced her household to keep windows shut for most of the day, affecting their comfort and health.
She commended the Municipal Assembly for responding to concerns repeatedly raised by residents.
Another resident, Mr Stephen Adu, a 53-year-old teacher, described the move as long overdue, saying residents had suffered the effects of the landfill for far too long.
However, he raised concerns about plans to relocate scrap dealers to the reclaimed site. He warned that activities such as the burning of scrap materials could pose serious health risks due to smoke emissions.
Mr Adu also feared that the relocation could lead to a rise in criminal activities in the area. He questioned the rationale behind resolving one environmental problem only to potentially create another.
He further criticised the management of the Sunyani Technical University for allowing the land to be earmarked for the relocation.
A report by The Ghanaian Times on July 23, 2026, indicated that the landfill had become a feeding ground for birds due to its proximity to the airport. Species such as the yellow-billed kite and the African wattled lapwing were frequently sighted, posing a risk of bird strikes to aircraft operating in the area.
From DANIEL DZIRASAH, SUNYANI
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