Ghana has been officially designated as the West Africa Regional Hub for policy support on waste management and the circular economy, a move expected to strengthen regional cooperation and innovation in sustainable development.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Ahmed Ibrahim, at the opening of a three-day regional workshop in Accra, organized in partnership with the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD).
The workshop brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across West Africa to explore strategies for sustainable waste management and transitioning to a circular economy.
“I am delighted that through collaboration with UNOSD and other partners, Ghana has been designated as the West Africa Regional Hub,” Ahmed Ibrahim said. “This places on us a responsibility to convene forums where knowledge can be shared, best practices exchanged, and regional cooperation strengthened.”
He stressed that Ghana views waste management not just as an environmental issue, but also as a matter of public health, economic resilience, and climate action, urging stakeholders to see waste as a resource that can drive sustainable development.
The Minister cited South Korea as a global model in waste management and expressed Ghana’s readiness to partner with the country to strengthen systems, foster innovation, and enhance regional cooperation. He added that the initiative has the potential to create jobs, particularly for young people engaged in waste collection and recycling.
Korean Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Kyongsig Park, commended Ghana’s leadership, noting that the hub status aligns with broader global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The designation is expected to position Ghana at the center of policy development, innovation, and best practices in waste management across West Africa, reinforcing its role as a driver of sustainable solutions in the sub-region.
