Managing solid waste for a sustainable Accra

This brief identifies barriers to the governance of sustainable waste management in Accra and considers multiple policy recommendations.

Authors

Accra, a rapidly urbanising city of over two million inhabitants, generates approximately 900,000 metric tonnes of solid waste annually. Despite the city investing between 20-50% of its municipal budget on sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM), many citizens lack adequate waste collection services, landfills are the primary disposal method, and the city’s sanitation and environment are deeply impacted by dumped waste.
Increasing volumes and changing waste content threaten biodiversity and human health, requiring comprehensive local and regional waste management strategies.
About 99% of waste collection services in Accra have been outsourced to formal service providers, yet the informal sector contributes 51% of total current collections. The marginalisation and lack of recognition for informal workers is a shortcoming of the current solid waste management (SWM) system.
In addition to identifying barriers to the governance of sustainable waste management in Accra, this brief considers multiple policy recommendations. These involve embracing a circular economic model, integrating informal sector actors, and harmonising the various legal and institutional frameworks for effective governance.