Waste collection in Accra to halt Nov. 7 as providers threaten nationwide strike over unpaid arrears

Waste collection services across Accra and other major cities in the country are expected to grind to a halt from November 7, 2025, as members of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) threaten to suspend operations over three years of unpaid arrears.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Executive Secretary of the association, Ama Antwi, indicated that the government owes its members more than GH¢1 million, a debt that has crippled operations and left many contractors struggling to pay workers, maintain waste trucks, and fund landfill management.

“ESPA has engaged with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, as well as relevant parliamentary committees, to facilitate payment to our members,” she emphasized.

With over 10,000 members and 67 registered waste contractors, ESPA plays a critical role in maintaining environmental sanitation in Ghana’s urban centres. The association warns that if the strike goes ahead, markets, residential areas, and transport terminals could experience severe waste pileups within days, deepening the country’s sanitation crisis.

Ghana’s urban waste generation has reached alarming levels, with Accra alone producing an estimated 3,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, according to data from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.
Despite improvements in collection systems, delayed government payments and limited disposal infrastructure continue to undermine effective waste management nationwide.

The Environmental Service Providers Association is also urging government to construct additional landfill sites and introduce a dedicated sanitation levy to support sustainable waste management.

“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,” she added.

The association is further calling for the renewal of contracts with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to ensure continuity and fair compensation for service providers.

The Environmental Service Providers Association is a coalition of private waste management companies in Ghana that partner with government and local authorities to promote efficient, sustainable, and inclusive environmental services nationwide.

If the planned strike proceeds, experts warn that public health could be threatened, with the risk of blocked drainage systems, increased flooding, and outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases.

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