MESTI minister, Murtala Muhammed and the Managing Director of City Waste Recycling Limited
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, toured some recycling facilities on March 4, 2025, to assess their circular economy initiatives.
The tour aimed to engage with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, gaining insights into their operations and innovative approaches to environmental sustainability.
It also underscored the Ministry’s commitment to fostering sustainable innovation and environmental solutions.
City Waste Recycling Limited
Vivian Ahiayibor, Managing Director of City Waste Recycling Limited, stated that the company currently employs 200 people and plans to expand its workforce to 2,000 across Ghana’s 16 regions.
She explained that City Waste has established collection points in all regions and employs individuals at each center.
This initiative seeks to enhance the network of waste collectors and ensure that recyclables are purchased at fair prices from the informal sector.
The company is dedicated to addressing Ghana’s waste management challenges while contributing to the development of a circular economy.
Colibar Ghana Limited
Prince Kwame Chisom Agbata, Founder of Colibar Ghana Limited, shared that his company segregates waste materials, compresses them, and ships them as bales.
He also highlighted Colibar’s request for government funding to establish additional bio-centers, each capable of serving at least 200 people. The company envisions creating a sustainable plastic waste recovery and value chain that benefits both the environment and stakeholders.
Colibar aspires to lead change in the plastic recycling industry through innovation, circularity, and value creation.
Waste management figures
In 2020, the global direct cost of waste management was estimated at USD 252 billion. When factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, adverse health effects, and climate change resulting from poor waste disposal practices, the total reached US$361 billion.
The International Day of Zero Waste emphasises the need to improve waste management worldwide and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
The Zero Waste initiative aims to minimize waste generation, maximise recycling, and foster a circular economy where resources are utilised efficiently.
SA/MA
Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below: