Ghana has officially been designated as the West Africa Regional Hub for policy support on waste management and the circular economy.
This announcement was made by the Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Ahmed Ibrahim, during the opening of a three-day regional workshop held in Accra.
The event, organized by the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across the sub-region to discuss strategies for sustainable waste management and the transition to a circular economy in West Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in tackling the growing challenge of waste. He also highlighted Ghana’s commitment to positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development practices.
“I am delighted that through the collaboration with UNOSD and other partners, Ghana has been designated as the West Africa Regional Hub for policy support on waste management and resource circularity. This places on us a responsibility to convene forums such as this, where knowledge can be shared, best practices exchanged, and regional cooperation strengthened.
“The challenge before us is not only how to dispose of waste safely, but how to transform waste into resources, opportunities, and drivers for sustainable development,” he said.
He emphasized that for Ghana, waste management is not just an environmental issue, but also a matter of public health, economic resilience, and climate action.
The Minister pointed to South Korea as a model for effective waste management systems, noting the country’s advancements and the importance of international collaboration.
Korea is far ahead in terms of waste management technology and strategy. That’s why we are eager to partner with them—not only to keep our cities clean but also to foster cooperation among West African nations,” he added.
Ahmed Ibrahim also noted that this initiative could create much-needed employment opportunities, particularly for young people involved in waste collection and recycling.
The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Kyongsig Park, also addressed the media, commending Ghana’s leadership in driving sustainable environmental policies.
The regional hub designation is expected to position Ghana at the center of policy development, innovation, and best practices in waste management across West Africa, aligning with broader efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The session concluded with a call for continued collaboration between Korea, Ghana, and other West African nations, and expressed hope that the workshop will foster practical insights and partnerships for sustainable progress.
