MCC, S/Leone Collaborate To Tackle Waste Management Challenges

By Bill W. Cooper
The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) has entered into a collaborative partnership with the Deputy City Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, aimed at addressing the pressing waste management challenges faced by the City of Monrovia.
The partnership, which was announced during a press conference, yesterday, February 13, 2024, at the MCC, also seeks to share best practices, resources, and innovative strategies to combat the growing waste crisis in Monrovia.
Monrovia, like many urban centres in West Africa, has been struggling and continues to struggle with significant waste management issues, leaving many residents, including pedestrians and visitors, raising serious concerns about the filthiness of the country’s capital.
Rapid urbanization, population growth, and inadequate infrastructure have further led to an overwhelming accumulation of waste in the city, while streets are often littered with garbage, coupled with the lack of proper disposal facilities resulting in public health concerns.
The situation has since been exacerbated due to limited funding, insufficient waste management equipment, and a lack of public awareness regarding waste disposal practices, leaving the current MCC management team to actively seek innovative solutions to improve waste management and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
However, the partnership with the Freetown Deputy City Mayor, representing his Boss, who has been recognized for her efforts in improving waste management in Freetown, represents a significant step forward for the MCC.
During the interaction, both Mayor John Siafa and Freetown Deputy City Mayor Kweku discussed the challenges they face and the potential for collaboration in addressing these issues.
Mayor Siafa said, “We are excited about this partnership because Freetown has made remarkable strides in waste management, and we believe that by working together, we can learn from their experiences and implement effective strategies in Monrovia.”
The MCC mayor also disclosed that as part of the collaboration with Freetown, the MCC plans to engage with the community organize community to empower citizens to take ownership of their waste management practices.
“We want to create a culture of responsibility among our residents as such, by involving the community in the decision-making process and providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge, we can foster a sense of pride in our city and encourage sustainable practices.
Also, we are actively seeking partnerships that can help us secure the necessary funding to implement our waste management initiatives because we believe that by working together with Freetown and other cities facing similar challenges, we can attract the attention of donors and secure the resources we need,” he maintained.
Mayor Siafa added, “We are also committed to building partnerships that can help us achieve our waste management goals, and by collaborating with international organizations, we can access technical expertise and resources that will enhance our efforts.”
In response, the Deputy City Mayor of Freetown, Kweku Lisk, echoed his country’s readiness to collaborate with the MCC in addressing Monrovia waste management challenges, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in tackling common challenges.
He added, “Waste management is a pressing issue that transcends borders. By sharing our experiences and resources, we can create sustainable solutions that benefit our cities and improve the lives of our citizens.”
Meanwhile, as the collaboration between the MCC and the Deputy City Mayor of Freetown unfolds, both mayors are optimistic about the potential for positive change and added that the partnership represents a commitment to addressing waste management challenges through innovative solutions, community engagement, and regional cooperation.