Ghana is reinforcing its commitment to climate action and sustainable development through the Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) project, a national initiative focused on circular innovation, responsible production, and green job creation.
The five-year project, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), and funded by Global Affairs Canada, targets circular business models in three key sectors: textiles, plastics, and agriculture and agro-processing.
According to Mr. Eric Gyenin, Country Project Coordinator, the GCEC supports Ghana’s transition to a low-carbon, inclusive economy, with a special emphasis on women, youth, and the informal sector.
He said the Centre would serve as a permanent platform for innovation, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building within the circular economy space.
However, Ho Technical University will serve as the host institution for the project and work with partner institutions that lead value chain interventions in each of the three focus sectors.
The University of Cape Coast, through its Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy (DRIC), leads the plastics value chain.
The Or Foundation would also spearhead interventions in textiles, while the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), through its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, leads work in agriculture and agro-processing.
Each partner institution is expected to pilot and scale circular economy models that align with Ghana’s green growth objectives.
Furthermore, Mr. Gyenin said the Centre is collaborating closely with entrepreneurs, informal workers, and financial institutions to unlock opportunities and strengthen the ecosystem for circular businesses in Ghana.
Mr. Joseph Yeboah, Strategic Partnerships and Engagements Lead at GCEC highlighted the development of Circular Economy Opportunity Mapping (CE-OM) reports as a core element of the project.
These reports will outline practical strategies for integrating circular business models that create value, support local enterprises, and enhance climate resilience.
In the textiles sector, the project is supporting the creation of a Circular Economy Roadmap for secondhand clothing, which plays a significant economic and social role in Ghana.
The Or Foundation will expand its work in secondhand markets in Kumasi and Tamale, with a stakeholder-validated roadmap expected later this year.
In the area of plastics, the University of Cape Coast will promote practices such as material recovery, reuse, and the development of alternatives to single-use plastics.
Meanwhile, KNUST will introduce circular approaches within the agriculture and agro-processing sector to boost resource efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.
Mr. Yeboah also noted that the Centre will roll out training programmes targeting value chain actors, including informal waste collectors, market women, small and medium enterprises, and municipal authorities.
In addition, value chain incubation and acceleration services will be provided to help entrepreneurs refine their business models and access engineering and product development support.
A financial ecosystem assessment is currently underway, with plans to collaborate with banks and financial institutions to design financing options for circular start-ups.
The Centre will also act as a coordination hub for international and regional exchanges, enabling knowledge sharing and collaboration with countries that are also transitioning to circular economies.
By bridging connections between academia, industry, government, development partners, financial institutions, and informal actors, the Ghana Circular Economy Centre aims to establish scalable and inclusive models for circular economic transformation.
Importantly, the project contributes directly to Ghana’s pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on responsible consumption and production, climate action, decent work, innovation, gender equality, and partnerships.
