Informal waste collectors in Accra handle 70% of household waste, according to a recent study (Banares-Sanchez and Wiskamp, 2025). This essential service goes largely unrecognized, despite its significant contribution to urban sanitation. Approximately 30% of Accra's large informal workforce works in waste management.
The lack of formal recognition means these informal groups lack support and integration into official systems. Monopolistic practices often see large formal companies receive waste management contracts. These companies frequently fail to serve low-income and informal settlements effectively (Ampong et al., 2024). This creates a service gap that informal collectors fill, yet their efforts remain outside official frameworks.
This situation highlights a critical challenge within Ghana's urban development goals. Accra aims to be a prosperous, healthy, and safe city by 2035. However, the current approach to waste management disregards a major portion of its service providers. This contrasts with the vision of inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban settlements. The low satisfaction among households with formal waste services further underscores the problem (AMA Waste Management Department, 2021; Yakubu et al., 2024).
The Ghanaian Times article points out that 92% of informal solid waste service providers do not belong to any association. However, 48% expressed a desire to join such groups. This indicates a clear need and readiness for formal organization and recognition within the sector. Researchers Banares-Sanchez and Wiskamp emphasize the scale of informal contributions.
Moving forward, policymakers must address the formalization and integration of these informal groups. Recognizing and supporting these collectors could improve waste management efficiency and foster economic inclusion. It could also lead to more effective waste collection in underserved areas. This integration would align with Ghana's broader vision for sustainable urban development. It would also help to achieve the goal of managed waste as a key part of livable cities. The substantial contribution of informal collectors presents an opportunity for targeted policy interventions. These interventions could enhance urban services and uplift a significant part of the informal workforce. Without these changes, Accra's waste management challenges may persist.