Authorities in Kumasi have warned that the overstretched Oti landfill site could be shut down within the next three months if urgent action is not taken, raising concerns over a potential sanitation crisis.
The facility, which serves the Greater Kumasi area, is currently operating beyond capacity, receiving between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of waste daily. According to Prosper Kotoka, the surge is partly due to increased inflows from neighbouring districts relying on the already burdened site.
Operational challenges, including aging equipment and lack of funding, have further worsened the situation. Authorities say contractors managing the landfill have not been paid for over two years, limiting maintenance and upgrades, while long queues of waste collectors continue to build up at the site.
The Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kwasi Ofori Agyemang Boadi, cautioned that failure to intervene promptly could force the closure of the city’s main disposal facility, potentially disrupting waste management across the metropolis.
In response, city officials are seeking funding to construct two additional landfill cells, a move expected to extend the site’s lifespan by up to three years. However, environmental experts warn that delays could lead to serious public health risks as Kumasi grapples with its growing waste management challenges.