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.