By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, Oct. 30, GNA – The Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) has appealed to government to urgently release outstanding payments owed to waste contractors to prevent a collapse of the sector.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Ms Ama Ofori Antwi, Executive Secretary of ESPA, warned that if payments were not made by November 7, 2025, service providers might suspend operations nationwide.
“We therefore appeal to the government for the immediate release of outstanding payments owed to all waste management contractors by 7th November, 2025.
“Without this intervention, service providers may be forced to shut down operations across the country, which could lead to a public health emergency,” she said.
Ms Antwi said many companies were in financial distress due to unpaid arrears, rising operational costs, and unprofitable fee structures imposed by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
She noted that fuel, electricity, and labour costs had increased significantly, while key infrastructure such as landfill sites and treatment plants were deteriorating due to inadequate maintenance and funding.
Commending President John Dramani Mahama for relaunching the National Sanitation Day and reaffirming his commitment to sanitation reform, Ms Antwi described the move as a “bold demonstration of leadership and national renewal.”
However, she stressed that such commitments must be matched with financial support.
“We acknowledge the President’s strong words on sanitation reform, but the situation on the ground demands urgent government action. Many of our members can no longer sustain operations,” she said.
Ms Antwi disclosed that engagements with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and relevant parliamentary committees had yet to yield results.
She urged the Ministry of Finance to expedite the payment of arrears and called for a review of the Sanitation and Pollution Levy to establish a dedicated fund for waste management.
“The absence of a dedicated budget for waste management has made the sector financially unsustainable. The Sanitation and Pollution Levy should be strengthened and ring-fenced to support the sector,” she stated.
Ms Antwi also appealed to MMDAs to adopt fair, cost-reflective fees during their annual fee-fixing exercises to ensure full cost recovery and long-term sustainability.
She cautioned that the closure of treatment and landfill facilities would disrupt waste collection, threaten thousands of jobs, and expose communities to diseases such as cholera and malaria.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey