Report By: Ishmael Barfi
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation has allocated $331,606 to ten small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support sustainable waste management initiatives in Ghana.
This funding is part of a larger $4,350,000 project aimed at establishing a circular economy framework for the plastic sector.
As part of implementation efforts, MEST has disbursed an initial $331,606 to 10 selected small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to pilot innovative plastic waste solutions.
The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), seeks to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the waste management sector.
Circular Economy: Ghanaian SMEs Receive Support for Sustainable Waste Management
The selected SMEs will use the funds to implement innovative waste management solutions, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The project is expected to create 746 direct jobs and 9,684 indirect jobs, thereby stimulating economic growth and development.
During the funding disbursement event on Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Murtala Mohammed, urged the beneficiary SMEs to use the funds responsibly and commit to the project’s objectives.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the utilization of the funds.
“I will monitor how the funds are used. I don’t want a dollar or a cedi from any of you. You must use the money for the purpose for which it was intended. I will take a particular interest in monitoring,” he reiterated.
Circular Economy: Ghanaian SMEs Receive Support for Sustainable Waste Management
The Minister also cautioned that there would be consequences for participants who do not use the funds appropriately. “Trust me, don’t be careless. If you are not using the money as intended, don’t seek the intervention of any influential person on your behalf, because I will insist that you be removed from the program,” he stated.
The initiative, known as the Circular Economy Framework for the Plastics Sector (CEF-PS), is implemented under the National Plastic Management Policy, which was approved by the Cabinet in 2020.
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are the executing agencies that will collaborate closely with the private sector to promote sustainable waste management practices.
The ten SMEs that received funding include Colliba Waste Management ($55,000), Nelplast Eco Ghana Ltd. ($60,000), and Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant Ltd (IRECOP) ($30,000).
MEST Minister, Dr. Murtala Mohammed
The rest are McKingtorch Africa, UPPR, Pure Home Water, Consortium (Asase), Consortium (Sesa), and Consortium (City Waste Recycling).
Ghana currently generates an estimated 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only about 9.5 percent being recycled.
The remainder often ends up in drains, open spaces, or marine environments, posing serious risks to ecosystems and contributing to urban flooding.
The CEF-PS project aims to reverse this trend by recovering at least 93,000 tonnes of plastic waste, preventing 13,000 tonnes of marine litter, and training over 2,000 stakeholders on circular economy practices over the next five years.
This initiative represents a significant step toward establishing a circular economy framework for the plastic sector in Ghana.
By supporting sustainable waste management practices and encouraging innovation, the project aims to reduce plastic waste, create jobs, and contribute to a more sustainable future for Ghanaians.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
