The Minister for Central Region, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe has called on experts in the environmental sector to develop more efficient means to waste management and disposal in the country.

She warned that Ghana had “come far” and cannot afford to stick to the old traditional ways of waste management.

“More waste is being generated than it could be dealt with by the Sanitation Units of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs)” the Minister said and appealed to the Assemblies to develop new ways of dealing with the problem.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe made the call at the handing over ceremony of Refuse Trucks and communal waste containers to all the 17 MMDAs in the Region, as part of Zoomlion Company Limited’s “Sanitation Improvement Package” programme.

Under the programme, Zoomlion seeks to partner the MMDAs through the provision of sanitation equipment as well as training to facilitate effective and efficient waste management to improve the overall environmental sanitation of the country.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe handed over the keys of the trucks to the Chief Executives of the various Assemblies and said that even though waste disposal and management had become a major problem in their areas, they could network with other organizations to solve the problem.

She appealed to Ghanaians to be prepared to pay “ a little money” to have their waste disposed off properly and ensure a clean environment at all times.

She urged Zoomlion to monitor and ensure that the equipment and vehicles were well utilized in the districts.

Mr John Sackey, the Central Regional Manager of Zoomlion, admitted that waste disposal and management and sanitation issues had been a daunting task in the country that needs the concerted efforts of all to help achieve a “five star waste management service” in the country.

He said the trucks would augment the fleet of vehicles of the assemblies enhance effective delivery of sanitation services.