Ghana Waste Collectors Now Handle 75% of Accra's Trash

The workers who collect trash on tricycles and taxis across Ghana just proved that organizing for change works.

The Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association swore in new national leaders this week in Accra, celebrating a remarkable transformation from scattered workers facing harassment to a recognized force handling 75 percent of waste collection in Greater Accra. The February 3rd ceremony brought together government agencies, environmental groups, and city officials who now see these collectors as essential partners.

President Johnbosco Avom Aduko remembers when things looked very different. Back in 2014, informal waste workers faced constant harassment from private contractors who saw them as competition. They had no recognition, no protection, and no voice in decisions about their city's cleanliness.

Instead of giving up, they organized. Today, the association operates not just in Accra but has expanded to Kumasi, Tarkwa, and Takoradi, reaching neighborhoods that traditional waste companies never served.

Victor Kortey from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly admitted the early relationship was tense. Rather than fight the informal collectors, the city chose partnership, registering workers and building their capacity through local and international programs. That collaboration is paying off in cleaner streets and better service.

The new leadership promises to focus on transparency, gender balance, and stronger partnerships with government. They're also tackling practical challenges, like convincing officials to open more waste transfer stations so collectors don't have to travel as far to disposal sites.

The Ripple Effect

This story shows how recognizing informal workers can transform entire systems. Cities across Africa struggle with waste management, often pouring money into formal contracts that fail to reach every neighborhood. Ghana chose a different path by embracing the people already doing the work.

The association's growth proves that supporting existing community networks can outperform top-down solutions. Workers who once hid from authorities now sit at planning tables with ministers and environmental agencies. Their expansion to multiple cities means thousands more neighborhoods getting reliable service.

The emphasis on gender balance and professional governance shows this isn't just about picking up trash. It's about building an institution that elevates workers while solving real problems.

What started as survival for harassed workers became a blueprint for how cities can partner with informal sectors to tackle their biggest challenges.