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Stakeholders demand strategic investment and enforcement of by-laws

Ghana’s worsening environmental crisis has reached a critical stage, demanding an urgent shift from symbolic corporate gestures to strict enforcement of environmental laws and strategic investment in sustainability.

This was the central message at the Business and Financial Times 2026 Environmental Sustainability Summit (ESS), which opened in Accra on Tuesday, June 16.

Organised by B&FT in collaboration with Jospong Group, Gold Fields and GOENERGY, the gathering convened regulators, corporate leaders, environmental scientists, development practitioners and climate finance experts to identify practical and immediate solutions to the country’s mounting ecological challenges.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of B&FT, Dr. Godwin Acquaye, warned that environmental degradation has evolved from a conservation concern into a direct threat to national development and economic stability.

He expressed worry over the rapid depletion of natural resources, stressing that protection can no longer be treated as a secondary issue.

“The way we are destroying this gift that God has given to us is alarming,” Dr. Acquaye said. “Forests are being depleted at an alarming rate, and unchecked destruction could undermine every effort to achieve sustainable development. The environment remains the foundation of life and livelihoods,” he noted.

The Group Head of Business Development for the Processing Cluster, Jospong Group, Mrs. Drusilla Villars, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to the 3P principles of People, Planet, and Profit.

She said the Group’s focus remains on “improving lives of people” while making the planet better through waste collection, processing and landfill management.

She noted that 70-80% of Jospong’s work targets environmental protection, adding that profit-making was balanced with social impact.

“This year’s theme, ‘Inspired by Nature for Climate Change,’ is both timely and compelling. It reminds us that nature provides some of the most effective and sustainable solutions to the climate challenges confronting our world today,” she said.

Mrs. Villars urged participants to move beyond dialogue to embrace innovative actions and partnerships for climate action.

She commended B&FT for organising the summit, noting Jospong’s years of partnership.

“Jospong Group over the years has engaged in activities geared towards achieving the sustainability goals,” she added.

A major theme that emerged during the morning session was the rejection of traditional corporate approaches to sustainability. Discussants criticised the tendency to confine environmental responsibility to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and public relations campaigns, describing such practices as inadequate in the face of the climate crisis. They urged companies to integrate climate risk assessments, carbon accounting and sustainability reporting into core business strategies and boardroom decision-making, moving well beyond annual press releases to genuine structural change.

The summit’s strongest regulatory message came from the Director of Human Settlement at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Hope Smith Lomotey, who announced an intensified crackdown on environmental offences. Speaking on the growing threat posed by poor waste management and air pollution, he reiterated that the open burning of municipal, electronic and industrial waste remains illegal under Ghana’s laws and warned that authorities were moving beyond public education to firm enforcement.

Mr. Lomotey explained that the EPA’s enforcement framework has been decentralised through environmental health officers stationed within Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), with specialised environmental courts now empowered to prosecute offenders. He cautioned that individuals and corporate representatives found guilty of open burning could face spot fines of up to GH¢10,000, while repeated or aggravated offences may attract custodial sentences of between three and six months with hard labour. The message was unambiguous: the era of impunity is over.

Drawing on findings from the Clean Air Fund, Mr Lomotey disclosed that eliminating open burning and implementing effective emissions controls in Accra could save Ghana an estimated US$216 million, equivalent to approximately GH¢3.2 billion, by 2040.

These projected savings, he indicated, would result largely from reduced healthcare costs associated with respiratory diseases and lower expenditure on environmental remediation, a financial argument that resonated strongly with corporate and policy audiences alike.

To strengthen enforcement with scientific evidence, Mr. Lomotey highlighted significant investments in technology-driven monitoring systems.

He said the EPA has expanded its real-time air quality surveillance network, deploying sensors across major urban centres to track pollutants including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The system now provides continuous data from key industrial and residential locations across the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta and Northern regions, enabling authorities to pinpoint violations and respond with precision.

The summit later split into two concurrent plenary sessions aimed at aligning private investment with sustainability objectives. The first session, focusing on Financing Sustainability, examined the barriers preventing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from accessing climate finance. Panellists, including Dr. Glenn Gyimah, General Manager, Green Transition, Jospong Group, Priscilla Ashiam of Access Bank Ghana, Pearl Entsua-Mensah of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre and Dr. Michael Addaney, University of Energy and Natural Resources discussed green bonds, sustainable financing models and the importance of meeting international Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

They stressed that without affordable capital, SMEs, the backbone of Ghana’s economy, cannot transition to greener operations, and called for tailored financial products that lower entry thresholds for smaller players.

The second plenary explored Green Innovation and Technology as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. The discussants were Ibrahim Adle Muhammad, Energy, Sustainability & ESG Analyst, Dr. Gloria Boamah Kusi, Senior Sustainability Officer, Jospong Green Transition Office, Frank Adu Anim of the Chamber of ESG & Sustainability Ghana and Prof. Michael Tuffour of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD). The discussion centred on practical pathways towards a circular economy.

The panelists advocated a transition away from linear consumption patterns, take, make, dispose, towards systems that convert waste into valuable industrial inputs. Real-world examples from waste-to-energy projects and recycling ventures illustrated that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive.

Zoomlion Ghana Limited and its key stakeholders have undertaken a series of intensive clean up, desilting and dredging exercises to improve drainage in flood prone areas of Accra.

The exercises began on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in collaboration with National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), FeDEMS Group Ltd, Dredge Masters Ghana Ltd, the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across Greater Accra.

The Teams undertook extensive cleaning of major drainage channels and waterways in flood-prone areas such as East Legon, Roman Ridge, Mallam, Paloma, Circle, Kaneshie, Kanda and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation area among others.

Flooding in parts of Accra has renewed attention on the impact of poor waste disposal, accumulated silt in drainage channels, and inadequate drainage infrastructure on communities, livelihoods, and public property.

Dredge Masters Ghana Limited on its part deployed specialized dredging equipment at Weija and Menpeasem near UPSA as well as several other identified flood prone areas in the Greater Accra Region. The specialized equipment removed large amounts of both silt and solid waste that have built up within water drains and are obstructing the normal flow of rainwater and significantly increasing the risks of flooding during heavy rains.

The Greater Accra Regional NADMO Coordinator Dennis Nartey Adjannor, paid glowing tribute to Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the great work. He called on all Ghanaians to cultivate good sanitary habits to protect life and property.

The Chief Government Relations & Corporate Affairs Officer of the Jospong Group Ms. Sophia Kudjordji explained that the exercise forms part of a coordinated effort to strengthen flood prevention measures by improving the capacity of drainage systems before subsequent rains. As a collaborative effort to promote flood prevention, stakeholders highlighted a commitment to improve the capacity of drainage systems before the next heavy rain and foster environmental cleanliness through responsible waste disposal.

Authorities have identified damaged drainage infrastructure, indiscriminate waste disposal, and inadequate maintenance of waterways as some of the key factors contributing to flooding in Accra. The clean-up initiative is intended to complement ongoing flood prevention efforts by clearing major drainage channels, improving water flow, and promoting a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable urban environment for residents. She called on citizens to support sanitation operations to refrain from putting garbage into the drains or water bodies. “Those activities end up leading to flooding solutions for residents which put communities in danger.”

Mr. Sena   Adiepena of Dredge Masters Ghana Limited said Dredge Masters have extensive experience in the dredging of many of Ghana’s waters, clearing silt and debris to make way for the water to flow whenever there is a rainstorm.

The General Manager for Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ms. Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah gave the assurance that the partners have agreed to extend the cleaning days to cope with the work load.

The President of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the waste management sector to address the growing sanitation challenges facing the country.

According to him, achieving sustainable waste management solutions requires the collective efforts of government, private sector players, local authorities, and the citizenry.

“Sanitation is a shared responsibility, no single institution can effectively resolve the country’s waste disposal crisis without coordinated action and strategic partnerships.”

Dr. Siaw Agyepong made these remarks at the Waste and Sanitation Dialogue, held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, under the theme, “Alleviating Waste Disposal Crisis in Greater Accra.”

It was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The high-level dialogue brought together Ministers of State, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), members of the Environmental Service Providers Association, environmental practitioners, waste management experts, industry players, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on practical and sustainable solutions to Ghana’s sanitation challenges.

Addressing participants, Dr. Siaw Agyepong stressed that while significant investments have been made in the sanitation sector over the years, the country continues to grapple with increasing waste generation, indiscriminate dumping, inadequate infrastructure, and poor waste management practices.

He therefore called for deliberate and sustained investment in the waste management sector, describing sanitation as a critical component of public health, environmental protection, and national development.

“The sanitation challenges we face today require a collective response. Sustainable waste management can only be achieved through collaboration among all stakeholders, supported by the right policies, adequate investment, and a strong commitment to implementation,” he stated.

The ESPA President further called for the strict enforcement of sanitation laws and regulations, noting that weak enforcement mechanisms have contributed significantly to poor sanitation practices and environmental degradation.

He urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to intensify public education and ensure compliance with sanitation by-laws to promote responsible waste disposal practices.

Dr. Siaw Agyepong also advocated increased investments in waste infrastructure, including transfer stations, material recovery facilities, recycling plants, and modern waste treatment technologies. He indicated that strategic investments in the sector would not only improve environmental outcomes but also create employment opportunities and unlock economic value through waste-to-resource initiatives.

The dialogue provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas and propose innovative approaches to tackling the sanitation crisis in Greater Accra. Discussions centred on strengthening public-private partnerships, improving waste collection systems, promoting recycling and waste segregation at source, enhancing community participation, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms for the sector.

Participants acknowledged that the growing urban population and rapid development of Greater Accra have intensified pressure on existing waste management systems, making it imperative for stakeholders to adopt more integrated and collaborative approaches to sanitation management.

The forum concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to work together to address the waste disposal challenges confronting the country and to support the implementation of practical, long-term solutions aimed at building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

The Waste and Sanitation Dialogue reaffirmed the importance of partnership, investment, and effective policy implementation in addressing Ghana’s sanitation crisis, with stakeholders agreeing that collective action remains the surest path towards achieving sustainable environmental sanitation and improving the quality of life of citizens.

Stakeholders at a meeting in Accra on Landfill and waste management have called on the government to identify core sources of funding for waste management, as individuals may not be able to pay entirely for the waste generated in private and public spaces.

They said the sanitation and pollution levy, which was levied per litre of fuel, is no longer being used to support the sanitation sector. Lack of funding, they said, could lead to a situation where Ghana can lose all the gains made in the sector over the past two decades within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

The call was made during a high-level stakeholder dialogue on landfill and waste management held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra on Monday, June 8, 2026, on the theme “Alleviating Waste Disposal Crisis in Greater Accra,” organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The meeting brought together government officials, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), sanitation experts, and private sector operators.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that rapid urbanisation and population growth continue to place enormous pressure on existing waste infrastructure. He revealed that Ghana currently generates approximately 4,400 tonnes of solid waste daily, translating into about 1.6 million tonnes annually, with an average collection rate of 80 percent.

The Minister warned that daily waste generation was projected to rise significantly over the next decade, and investing in modern treatment facilities was an urgent national priority.

He emphasised that sustainable financing remained the biggest obstacle facing the sector. Hon. Ibrahim acknowledged that waste management cannot be left solely to market forces, drawing comparisons with countries such as South Korea. He disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to secure dedicated funding to settle outstanding obligations owed to private waste management companies.

The Minister also challenged MMDCEs to take greater responsibility for sanitation outcomes, stressing that even the most sophisticated facilities cannot function effectively without adequate operational funding. He warned that delayed payments could trigger serious environmental and public health consequences

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 that has repeatedly failed. According to him, all 17 landfills constructed across the country with support from international partners reached capacity within a decade. He stressed that modern systems should prioritize collection, transfer stations, recycling and composting, with landfills as a last resort.

The stakeholders also highlighted concerns over inadequate revenue mobilisation and tariff structures.

The President of ESPA further noted that although international benchmarks recommend household waste collection fees of $15-$20 in lower-middle-income countries, operators in Ghana struggle with low recovery rates.

Despite challenges, participants pointed to Ghana’s growing reputation as a leader in environmental sanitation technology across Africa. The country now boasts of more than 50 waste treatment and composting facilities. Ghanaian firms are currently providing expertise in several African countries, including Kenya and Ethiopia.

Dr. Agyepong attributed this success to sustained investments in local expertise, revealing that sanitation service providers have supported the training of hundreds of highly qualified professionals.

The Vice Dean of the MMDCEs, Dr. Michael Mensah, assured stakeholders that local authorities remain committed to improving sanitation standards.

Research findings presented indicated that poor waste management costs Ghana more than GH¢6.2 billion annually through flood-related destruction, healthcare expenses and environmental degradation.

Participants concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration among government, local authorities, and private service providers, emphasizing that policy discussions must translate into sustainable financing mechanisms that can keep Accra and the wider GAMA area clean.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited have launched a 12-week nationwide flood awareness campaign aimed at promoting responsible waste disposal and reducing the impact of flooding during this rainy season.

The initiative, dubbed “No Do No Do,” seeks to educate the public on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly the practice of dumping refuse into drains and waterways, which authorities say remains a major contributor to flooding across the country.

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Tuesday, June 2, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, Dennis Adjannor Nartey, described blocked waterways and poor drainage systems as persistent challenges that continue to claim lives, destroy property and disrupt livelihoods whenever heavy rains occur.

According to him, flooding should not be viewed as an unavoidable natural disaster but rather as a preventable challenge that requires collective action from government institutions, private sector organisations and local communities.

“Flooding is not a natural disaster. It is a challenge we can solve when government, the private sector, and communities work together,” Mr. Nartey stated, stressing the need for a coordinated national response to the problem.

He explained that the partnership between NADMO and Zoomlion will combine technology, community engagement, and practical interventions to tackle the root causes of flooding.

Key activities under the campaign, he disclosed, will include drain desilting, community sensitisation, public education and the strengthening of early warning systems.

Mr. Nartey used the opportunity to urge Ghanaians, institutions, and community leaders to embrace the “No Do No Do” message and make responsible waste disposal a daily habit.

He maintained that preventing floods required a collective commitment to protecting drains, safeguarding communities, and preserving lives and property.

The General Manager of Governmental Affairs, Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Affairs, Media and Brands department at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ms. Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah, said the campaign carries a simple but powerful message aimed at changing public behaviour and encouraging environmental responsibility.

“The message is clear: Don’t dump. Don’t block. Let water flow,” she said.

She lamented the fact that every rainy season, Ghana suffers avoidable losses because drains and waterways become choked with waste.

Ms. Emma Osei-Duah emphasised that sustainable flood prevention begins with individual actions, adding that residents have a critical role to play in keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that drainage channels remain free-flowing.

She noted that Zoomlion’s extensive experience in waste management, coupled with NADMO’s mandate in disaster preparedness and response, provides a strong foundation for a successful nationwide campaign capable of driving lasting behavioural change.

The campaign will feature intensive public education programmes, stakeholder engagements, community outreach activities, and clean-up exercises in flood-prone communities across the country. Organisers believe these efforts will help create greater awareness about the connection between poor sanitation and recurring floods.

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Jospong Group of Companies has led a high level delegation to meet with the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, to introduce the company and its readiness to bring its expertise in providing sustainable waste management solutions to the sector in Burkina Faso. 

The visit was in the company of His Excellency, Major Colonel David Kabré, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana and Hon.  Roger Baro, Burkinabe Minister in Charge of the Environment, Water and Sanitation.

The meeting was followed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation with the Ghana-based Jospong Group in Ouagadougou, marking a significant step toward the realization of the building a waste treatment plant in Burkina Faso.

The project is also a result of discussions between Burkinabe and Ghanaian authorities, during the official visit of the President of Ghana His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to Burkina Faso on March 10, and forms part of a south-south cooperation initiative focused on sustainable development and job creation across the region.

Pldeging the support of the Burkinabe’s government’s support for the Jospong Group for the execution of the project, the Prime Minister acknowledged the work being done by the Group in Ghana and other parts of Africa, adding that “We believe in promoting the expertise of Africans and hope you will share this expertise with the young people of Burkina Faso”. He was hopeful that the initiative will help in youth employment and combating diseases. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accompany and support investors who contribute to the development of the country.

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong in his response congratulated the President of Burkina Faso,  His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and his team for accelerated development of the country and his Pan Africanist posture. He expressed confidence in the vision job creation and developing a prosperous Burkina Faso.

With over twenty years of experience in the waste management sector in Ghana and presence in 24 African countries, the Jospong Group aims to leverage on its proven technologies and models in Ghana to address Burkina Faso’s environmental challenges.

He assure the government of Burkina Faso that Group plans to train Burkinabe youth Ghana to manage the facility and its associated services locally. “We are not going to import Ghanaian workers for Burkina Faso,” “We will train young Burkinabe people who will take charge of waste management in their country,” Dr. Agyepong said.

This agreement paves the way for sustainable solid and liquid waste management solutions across major cities in Burkina Faso. This follows a successful study tour to Ghana in April, by technical team from Burkina Faso led by the Minister of Environment Water and Sanitation to witness Jospong’s advanced waste infrastructure and commitment to innovation.

The signing of the MOU sets the foundation for knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and the construction of state-of-the-art waste processing infrastructure for the Burkina Faso.

Minister Roger Baro commended H.E. David Kabre, Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Ghana, for his instrumental role in advancing the collaboration, and urged Jospong to remain pragmatic and people-focused in execution to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities.