Accra: Ghana and Austria are strengthening cooperation in waste management through joint innovation, skills development, and knowledge transfer. The partnership involves Austrian universities, businesses, and the Jospong Group, aiming to develop locally relevant waste management technologies and skills rather than relying solely on ready-made solutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Austrian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Jrgen Heisse, emphasized during a visit to the Kumasi Composting and Recycling Plant (KCARP) that the partnership encourages the joint development of solutions. "The idea is not just to come with something ready-made, but also to develop it together, at eye level," he said. The visit allowed the Ambassador to engage with beneficiaries of the Waste Academy project, supported by the Austrian Development Agency's Economic Partnerships Programme since April 2024.
The project is being implemented by the Jospong Group of Companies, Komptech, and the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) to train waste managers in integrated solid waste management and resource recovery. Mr. Heisse noted that the initiative highlights waste management as both an environmental and economic development issue, with the potential to create jobs and generate value. He remarked, "This is something we can bring a lot of expertise to, and a partnership is also a long way."
Mr. Heisse further mentioned that Austria's Africa strategy offers opportunities to enhance cooperation in human resource development, training, and financing for waste management initiatives. He expressed hope that Ghana would become a model for clean cities in Africa and affirmed Austria's readiness to support efforts towards that goal.
Mr. Jacob Kwaku Ladi, Group Head of Learning and Development and Project Manager of the Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy, stated that expanding Ghana's waste management innovations across Africa would require investment in technology and human resources. He explained that the recycling technology programme is primarily implemented through technical institutions, and its planned expansion necessitates strengthening local training capacity.
Mr. Ladi highlighted the use of a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach to build local capacity. Mr. Samuel Ntumy, General Manager of KCARP, emphasized that education and skills development are central to waste management innovation and should not be separated from technology. He noted that the peer-to-peer partnership could assist Ghana in developing solutions tailored to local conditions while utilizing international expertise, creating opportunities to share those solutions with other African countries.
Mr. Ntumy added that the collaboration signifies a shift towards treating waste as a resource and economic opportunity, with recycling and recovery technologies capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses, and reducing environmental pressures.