Accra: The Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), in collaboration with the government and development partners, has officially launched the Ghana National Union for Informal Waste Workers. The event, themed 'From Informality to Inclusion: Recognising Informal Waste Workers as Essential Actors in Ghana's Circular Economy,' gathered waste worker leaders from all sixteen regions of Ghana, along with government officials, development partners, and private sector actors.
According to Ghana News Agency, the launch marks the end of a five-year effort by GAYO to mobilise and organise waste pickers across Ghana. This initiative began with a single waste picker cooperative and has grown into a nationwide movement that acknowledges the environmental and economic contributions of informal waste workers. The newly formed union provides these workers, who often recover recyclable materials, divert waste from landfills, and supply industries with secondary raw materials, a unified platform to engage with the government, municipalities, industry, and development partners.
The union's mandate includes advocating for improved working conditions, stronger worker organisations, enhanced market access, social protection, occupational health and safety, and meaningful involvement in policy decisions impacting the sector. Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Ghana's Minister for Labor, Jobs and Employment, affirmed the union's formation as a lawful exercise under the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and Ghana's ratified International Labor Organisation conventions on freedom of association. He pledged the government's commitment to ensuring safe workplaces, fostering social dialogue, and promoting inclusive employment within the sector.
Richard Matey, speaking on behalf of GAYO, highlighted that the launch reflected years of organising and relationship-building. He emphasised that recognition required organisation, representation, and partnerships, and such understanding had shaped the journey that led to the union's formation. He added that inclusion for the sector would continue with legal recognition, municipal integration, and expanded market access.
Representatives from both the government and GAYO described the launch as a starting point. Future priorities include strengthening the union's institutional capacity, expanding partnerships with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), improving access to social protection and occupational health services, and integrating waste workers more fully into Ghana's circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility systems.
The initiative received support from funding partners including the UMI Fund, The Earthshot Prize, Global Methane Hub, and the Clean Air Fund, as well as technical and institutional partners such as the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership (Ghana NPAP), the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, People's Dialogue, Impact Footprint Africa, IESS Legon, Green Growth Africa, Work First Mile, CONIWAS, and a wide network of government institutions, recycling companies, and civil society organisations. GAYO has extended an open invitation to government institutions, private companies, producer responsibility organisations, research institutions, foundations, and development partners not currently involved, to join the effort.