The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a circular economy as a strategy to increase local production, create jobs, strengthen industry, and protect the environment. This initiative is central to the Government's development agenda, providing an opportunity to retain the value of materials, reduce waste, and create economic opportunities. The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, made these remarks at the maiden Ghana Circular Economy Annual Conference 2026 in Ho.
The conference, organised by the Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, aims to promote a circular economy in Ghana. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings noted that Ghana needs to make deliberate choices about how it produces, consumes, and manages its resources. Pollution and premature disposal of useful materials have significant consequences for livelihoods, health, and economic development.
The Minister said the circular economy is not merely a slogan but a development strategy that supports the Government's Resetting Ghana agenda and the 24-Hour Economy. This strategy promotes local production, job creation, competitive industry, and cleaner communities. The Government is taking steps to create the policy and institutional framework for the transition, including the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).
The Environmental Protection Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a mandate to promote circular economy approaches and extended producer responsibility. The Ministry is also advancing a dedicated Extended Producer Responsibility law. Additionally, the establishment of a Sustainability and Circular Economy Unit at the EPA will strengthen institutional support for the agenda.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings identified four priorities for advancing the circular economy: bringing science closer to enterprise, making circular businesses investable and their products marketable, ensuring inclusion, and promoting responsibility throughout the life cycle of products. She encouraged researchers and businesses to work together to develop and test solutions to Ghana's environmental and industrial challenges.
The Minister cited research into locally available alternatives to conventional plastics, including cassava, and urged researchers to ensure that such alternatives are rigorously tested for performance, affordability, safety, and their impact throughout the product life cycle. She also called on financial institutions to engage with circular enterprises and understand their business models.
The circular economy should be viewed not only as an environmental intervention but also as an opportunity to create jobs, develop enterprises, support young people and women, strengthen local industries, and improve livelihoods. Stakeholders are urged to use the conference to identify policy barriers, establish partnerships between researchers and businesses, connect enterprises to technical support, finance, and markets, and develop mechanisms to track progress.
Key points
- The Government of Ghana is committed to promoting a circular economy to increase local production, create jobs, and protect the environment.
- The circular economy is central to the Government's development agenda, providing an opportunity to retain the value of materials, reduce waste, and create economic opportunities.
- The Government is taking steps to create the policy and institutional framework for the transition, including the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).
