Stakeholders in Ghana’s sanitation sector have called for the establishment of sustainable financing mechanisms to support the development of modern waste treatment infrastructure across the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), cautioning that persistent reliance on landfill disposal and funding shortfalls could undermine environmental sustainability and public health gains.
The concerns were raised during a high-level stakeholder dialogue on landfill and waste management held in Accra under the theme, “Alleviating Waste Disposal Crisis in Greater Accra.” The forum brought together government officials, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), sanitation experts, and private sector operators to discuss long-term solutions to the region’s growing waste management challenges.
Research findings presented at the forum indicated that poor waste management costs Ghana more than GH¢6.2 billion annually, resulting in flood-related losses, healthcare expenditures, and environmental degradation.
Addressing participants, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said rapid urbanisation and population growth were exerting increasing pressure on existing waste management systems. He disclosed that Ghana generates approximately 4,400 tonnes of solid waste daily, equivalent to about 1.6 million tonnes annually, with collection rates averaging 80 percent.
The Minister cautioned that waste volumes are expected to increase substantially over the coming decade, and investing in modern treatment facilities is an urgent priority. He identified sustainable financing as the sector’s most pressing challenge, noting that waste management cannot be left entirely to market forces. Referring to international experiences, he stressed the need for dedicated public investment to support essential sanitation services.
Ibrahim revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Finance were ongoing to secure funding for outstanding payments owed to private waste management companies. He further urged MMDCEs to assume greater responsibility for sanitation outcomes, emphasizing that even the most advanced facilities require adequate operational support to function effectively. Delays in payments, he warned, could have significant environmental and public health implications.
The President of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, described reliance on landfills as an “outdated approach,” arguing that the model has repeatedly proven unsustainable. He noted that all 17 landfill sites developed across the country with international support reached capacity within a decade.
According to Agyepong, modern waste management systems should prioritize “collection, transfer stations, recycling and composting,” while treating landfills as a final disposal option rather than a primary solution. He emphasized the importance of investing in integrated waste treatment infrastructure capable of recovering value from waste streams while reducing environmental risks.
Stakeholders also highlighted concerns regarding revenue mobilisation and sanitation tariff structures. Agyepong observed that while international benchmarks recommend household waste collection fees of between $15 and $20 in lower-middle-income economies, operators in Ghana continue to face challenges with low cost recovery levels.
Despite these constraints, participants highlighted Ghana’s growing reputation in environmental sanitation technology across the continent. The country currently operates more than 50 waste treatment and composting facilities, with Ghanaian firms providing technical expertise in countries including Kenya and Ethiopia.
Agyepong attributed this progress to sustained investments in local capacity development and the training of sanitation professionals, describing human capital development as a critical pillar for the sector’s future growth.
The Vice Dean of the MMDCEs, Dr. Michael Mensah, reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to improving sanitation standards and supporting efforts aimed at strengthening waste management systems across the country.
