Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolis, Hon Samuel Pyne has officially launched the implementation of the Holistic Reinforcement For Sustainable Development (HORESD) project which is being funded with a 2.5 million Euros grant facility from the European Union under the Local Authorities Partnerships For Sustainable Cities.

The project, the Mayor stated aims at dealing with solid waste collection, disposal and recycling of same in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Eight Refuse collection trucks and 1000 pieces and sizes of litre waste containers was on display to be used to implement the project which the KMA has christened “Keep Kumasi Clean, Let’s Recycle”.

“We are gathered here today as stakeholders to launch our sanitation management program under the HORESD project dubbed Keep Kumasi Clean, Lets Recycle and this highly relevant theme ties in beautifully with my vision under waste management to keep the city clean by making solid waste a resource for sustainable job creation”, the Mayor stated.

Details:

The Mayor explained that marked waste bins would be put at vantage points in the metropolis under supervision so that wet and dry waste as well as plastics can be separated.

The large trucks, he noted would then go around to collect the waste and then dispose them off at compost and recycling sites for the other processes to continue.

The Mayor therefore asked the public to take particular interest in the project and do their part to make the implementation a seamless and a sustained action.

“I believe this is a bold attempt on my part and the KMA to deal with waste and sanitation issues in the metropolis and with the help of the public i know we can sustain this project while atrracting the needed dividends from the recycling process”, Hon Pyne said.

Coordinating Director:

The Kumasi Metro Director, Francis Dwira Darko on his part also commended the European Union for deciding to invest such money into the management of waste in Kumasi and other partner cities.

Waste Management, he noted was a huge burden on the KMA requiring them to use 70% of the internally generated funds to deal with same every time.

Mr Dwira commended the representatives of Manra and Crea, cities that are under the partnership with KMA on the HORESD project for their commitment to seeing to the project implementation.

Local Government Representative:
A Representative from the Local Government Ministry tasked KMA to work to sustain the project.

She noted that sanitation and waste management was a challenging enterprise to embark upon but noted that the HORESD project was a forward looking one that has the potential of helping the KMA to deal with waste management issues.

Chairman:

The Asemhene, Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffuor II, who chaired the event commended the Kumasi Mayor for the initiative and project.

He however called KMA to guard the implementation processes so that the project could yield the needed impact for the people.

Representative From Cape Verde:

Victor Constantino, Special Representative From Cape Verde City of Praia, a beneficiary city of the HORESD project, commended KMA for being able to commence the implementation of the Waste management project.

The success of the project, he noted would serve both the KMA and its people well.

European Union:

Representative of the European Union, Mr Massimo Mina praised the KMA for being able to fulfil requirements and getting the project started.

He noted that the project offers the opportunity to the City to deal with waste while maximising profits from the recycling programme.

Manra and Crea Representatives:
Representatives from Manra and Crea also expressed their delight in the implementation process by the KMA.

They believed that with the program starting and being sustained, the City of Kumasi stood the chance of being clean at all times and additionally benefitting from revenue to be generated from the recycling processes.

Present at the event were driver unions, Kumasi Based Traders Associations and Youth Clubs as well as KMA Assembly Members and other stakeholders.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,

Kumasi.