ESPA ready for 24-hour service with gov’t support – Executive Secretary
The Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) has expressed its readiness to operate 24-hour waste management services if the government provides the necessary support.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, ESPA’s Executive Secretary, Ama Ofori Antwi, emphasized that sanitation remains a major challenge in Ghana.
She noted that with government backing, waste management companies could employ more staff, extend operations to night shifts, and create job opportunities for the youth.
“If the government can support us, we will work at night and employ more task force members. This will not only improve sanitation but also create more jobs for young people,” she stated.
She also highlighted advancements in waste management, including transforming human waste into charcoal, which she believes will help reduce deforestation.
“This innovation is beneficial because people will no longer cut down trees for charcoal production,” she added.
However, Antwi revealed that the waste management sector is struggling, with the number of companies dropping from 70 to just 40 due to financial difficulties.
“Many waste management companies are operating at a loss, leading to their collapse. People assume waste management is a profitable business, but when they start, they realize the challenges and rethink their decision,” she explained.
She urged the government to invest in the sector to ensure sustainable waste management and improved sanitation across the country.
