Ghana is losing more than GH¢6.2 billion every year due to poor waste management and inadequate sanitation, according to a new policy brief released by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana.
The report, titled Waste or Wealth? The Economic Returns to Sanitation Investment in Ghana, estimates that annual health and productivity losses linked to poor sanitation exceed GH¢6.2 billion. In contrast, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) spend only GH¢180.2 million annually on waste management and sanitation services.
According to ISSER, the country spends nearly 30 times more addressing the consequences of poor sanitation than it invests in preventive measures, highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in the sector.
The study found that preventable diseases, including malaria, cholera and typhoid, are the leading contributors to the economic losses.
These illnesses account for an estimated 31.9 million lost work and school days each year and contribute to approximately 107,222 premature deaths annually.
ISSER estimated that direct medical treatment costs amount to GH¢5.58 billion every year, while an additional GH¢650 million is lost through worker absenteeism and reduced productivity caused by sanitation-related diseases.
The institute also warned that rapid urbanisation, population growth and changing consumption patterns are placing growing pressure on Ghana’s waste management systems, creating significant risks for public health, environmental sustainability and economic development.
The report argues that waste management should be recognised as a strategic economic investment rather than being viewed solely as an environmental or public health responsibility.
According to ISSER, increasing investment in sanitation infrastructure, waste collection and disposal systems, and related public services would significantly reduce the burden of disease, improve labour productivity and support long-term economic growth.
The institute called on policymakers to prioritise sanitation financing as part of Ghana’s broader development agenda, stressing that the economic returns from improved waste management far outweigh the cost of continued underinvestment.
