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The Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) has issued a strong warning about the possible collapse of Ghana’s waste management system, calling for urgent government intervention to avert what it describes as a looming national sanitation and public health crisis.
At a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Executive Secretary of ESPA, Madam Ama Ofori Antwi, revealed that most waste service providers are struggling under intense financial pressure and may be forced to shut down operations soon if government support does not come immediately.
According to her, many contractors have taken loans from banks, suppliers, and other partners to keep their operations running, but are now facing serious cash flow challenges, with some creditors threatening legal action.
“If immediate government attention and intervention are not provided, these compounded challenges could cripple Ghana’s waste management system in a few days, reversing years of progress made in keeping our cities clean and protecting public health and the environment.”
She explained that ESPA has already engaged the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, as well as relevant parliamentary committees, to facilitate the release of payments owed to its members, but little progress has been made so far.
Madam Ofori Antwi therefore appealed to the government to pay all outstanding arrears owed to ESPA members by November 7, 2025, to avert a total shutdown of waste collection and disposal services across the country.
She also proposed that government channel part of the Sanitation and Pollution Levy into a dedicated financing mechanism to ensure sustainable funding for the waste management sector.
“There has been an absence of a dedicated budgetary allocation for waste management over the years. The sector’s financial sustainability, therefore, remains at risk, with the possibility of service disruptions if urgent attention is not given.
In addition, ESPA called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to review the fixed cost recovery rates paid to waste collectors, transporters, and transfer station operators, describing the current rates as economically unsustainable.“A fair and realistic adjustment is essential to ensure business viability and the continued provision of effective sanitation services across the country.”
While reaffirming ESPA’s commitment to partner government in maintaining environmental cleanliness, Madam Ofori Antwi pledged the association’s support for President John Dramani Mahama’s re-launch of the National Sanitation Day initiative, but urged swift and decisive action to stabilize the waste management sector.
The Environmental Service Providers Association is a coalition of private waste management companies working with government and local authorities to promote sustainable and inclusive environmental services across Ghana.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net/ Emmanuel Anyigba, Parliamentary Correspondent Bryt TV
