Story of Impact #3 – Supporting Waste Management and Circular Economy Efforts in Ghana | Отделение Организации Объединенных Наций по устойчивому развитию

Story of Impact - Supporting Waste Management and Circular Economy Efforts in Ghana

Textile waste has become a growing challenge for Ghana’s waste management system, driven largely by the influx of second-hand clothing imports. Millions of second-hand garments are imported every week, a significant proportion of which are of low quality.¹ The Kantamanto Market in Accra, one of the largest hubs for second-hand clothing in West Africa, handles vast volumes of these imports, serving as both a resale market and as a site where unsold textiles accumulate as waste. While these imports provide livelihoods and affordable clothing for many Ghanaians, a substantial share of the garments are so poor in quality that they are quickly discarded, placing immediate strain on an already overstretched waste management system.² Although, the Government of Ghana has pursued several policy frameworks to address the broader waste management crisis, these strategies did not explicitly address the rapid growth of textile waste.

Following an official request from Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, UNOSD conducted a scoping mission in August of 2024 to assess textile waste management challenges. This mission produced a targeted plan to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and also established a long-term partnership between UNOSD and the Government of Ghana.

Partnership Development

August 2024: UNOSD conducted a scoping mission to Accra, Ghana, to define the problem statement on end-of-life textiles. The mission recommended the formation of a textile Technical Working Group and the development of a project roadmap.

November & December 2024: Ghana actively participated in UNOSD’s COP29 Side Event, “Tackling methane emissions and the waste crisis through data, evidence-based policy and finance”. A representative from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs served as a panellist, providing Ghana-specific insights and demonstrating the country’s commitment to strengthening waste management practices. Following this engagement, Ghana formally requested to become a hub country for UNOSD’s Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS).

July 2025: UNOSD invited fifteen (15) high-level government officials and technical specialists from Ghana to the Republic of Korea for a Waste Management and Circular Economy Study Tour. Participants were exposed to Korea’s advanced waste management system through visits to a wide range of facilities covering the entire waste management chain, including generation and separation, recycling, incineration, and landfilling. Key topics included Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, Korea’s Allbaro (waste verification) system, Waste-to-Energy technologies, and related policy instruments.

August 2025: UNOSD’s partnership with Ghana deepened, with Ghana hosting the Western Africa Workshop on Waste Management and Circular Economy. As a regional hub country for the WMPSS, Ghana played a leadership role by showcasing national efforts and sharing practical recommendations and impact stories with other Member States facing similar challenges. Through this partnership, Ghana helped catalyse peer learning and regional collaboration on the WMPSS across 16 West African nations.

November 2025: With Technical support from UNOSD, Ghana convened the Technical Working Group Workshop for end-of-life textiles. The workshop resulted in the development of the zero draft End-of-Life Textiles Roadmap, which included agreed vision, strategic objectives and implementation pillars.

Emerging Evidence of Change

Despite the short timeframe, Ghana has made substantial progress in strengthening its waste management practices and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ghana has further developed a whole-of-system approach, explicitly linking the trade in second-hand garments to impacts on sanitation, public health, and the environment. In response, the country has identified priority interventions, including the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, improved labelling standards, and upgraded infrastructure for sorting and recycling.

Institutional coordination has also strengthened. Dialogue and collaboration have increased among Ministries and agencies, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, market associations, and international partners. Leveraging its partnership with UNOSD and exposure to operational models in the Republic of Korea, Ghana has expanded its policy options, which are now directly shaping the roadmap pillars of regulation, infrastructure and financing.

Ghana is further prioritizing data-driven policymaking, particularly through the use of the WMPSS and planned national data task forces. These efforts are beginning to address the long-standing data gaps that have constrained effective regulation and investment in the sector.

Looking ahead, UNOSD remains committed to deepening this strategic partnership. The Office will continue to work with Ghana in its role as a regional hub country for the WMPSS, leveraging Ghana’s experience to stimulate broader regional action. Future technical cooperation will focus on advancing Ghana’s pioneering work in end-of-life textiles management. This continued engagement demonstrates the tangible impact of UNOSD’s support and reinforces Ghana’s emerging role as a leader in driving the circular economy transition across West Africa.

^{Ministerial Remarks made by H.E. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ghana, during the Study Tour for African Member States on Waste Management and Circular Economy in the Republic of Korea (July 2025)}