Ghana Unveils National Union for Informal Waste Workers

The initiative, spearheaded by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), crowns a five-year campaign to organise informal waste workers across Ghana.

ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana has formally launched its first National Union for Informal Waste Workers, marking a significant step towards integrating thousands of waste pickers into the country's formal labour and circular economy systems.

The union was inaugurated on Monday at the Wesley Towers Conference Room in Accra during an event themed "From Informality to Inclusion: Recognizing Informal Waste Workers as Essential Actors in Ghana's Circular Economy." The ceremony brought together waste worker representatives from all 16 regions of the country, government officials, development partners and private sector stakeholders.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), crowns a five-year campaign to organise informal waste workers across Ghana. What began with a single waste picker cooperative has evolved into a nationwide movement seeking recognition for workers who recover recyclable materials, reduce landfill waste and supply industries with secondary raw materials.

The newly established union will serve as a unified platform for informal waste workers to engage government agencies, local authorities, industry players and development partners. It will also advocate for improved working conditions, social protection, occupational health and safety, better market access and greater participation in policymaking affecting the waste sector.

Speaking at the launch, Ghana's Labour, Jobs and Employment Minister, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, described the union's formation as consistent with the country's Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and international labour conventions guaranteeing freedom of association.

"The formation of the National Informal Waste Worker Union is a lawful exercise of constitutional and statutory underpinnings, and government fully recognises this important development," he said, reaffirming the government's commitment to promoting decent work, social dialogue and inclusive employment opportunities for informal waste workers.

Representing GAYO, Richard Matey said the union reflects years of sustained organising and collaboration.

"Recognition requires organisation. Organisation requires representation. Representation requires partnerships. That understanding shaped the journey that has brought us here today," he said.

Matey added that the launch is only the beginning of a broader effort to secure legal recognition, strengthen municipal integration and expand economic opportunities for informal waste workers.

Stakeholders at the event identified the union's immediate priorities to include strengthening its institutional capacity, expanding partnerships with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), improving access to social protection and occupational health services, and ensuring waste workers play a central role in Ghana's circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility framework.

The initiative has received financial support from the UMI Fund, The Earthshot Prize, Global Methane Hub and the Clean Air Fund, with technical backing from organisations including the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership (Ghana NPAP), Accra Metropolitan Assembly and several civil society and private sector partners.

GAYO also called on government institutions, producer responsibility organisations, private companies, research institutions, foundations and development partners to join efforts to strengthen Ghana's informal waste management sector.

A pan-African, youth-led organisation, GAYO works across climate action, zero-waste cities, green jobs, adaptation and resilience, promoting locally driven solutions to environmental and development challenges across Africa.