The government is considering a new waste collection model that could see households pay electronically for waste services while operators are paid based on the quantity of waste they collect.
Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, says the proposed system forms part of efforts to overhaul Ghana’s current waste management structure, including the eventual replacement of the widely used aboboya system.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Ayariga said government is looking at introducing purpose-built waste collection vehicles fitted with mechanisms to automatically load and discharge waste.
Under the proposed arrangement, the vehicles would transport household waste to designated transfer stations, where it would be weighed before larger trucks convey it to landfill sites.
“So I’ve discussed with the Finance Minister he says he’s willing to invest in those ones. When those ones come, you can now replace that,” he said.
The Minister said the government is also engaging banks and fintech companies to establish an electronic payment platform that will allow households to pay for waste collection through services such as mobile money.
The Bawku Central MP explained that the system is expected to introduce a more structured payment mechanism, with waste collection operators receiving payments based on the volume of waste delivered to transfer stations.
According to him, the amount of waste discharged at the transfer station would be weighed and used to determine how much the operator is paid.
Mr Ayariga also disclosed plans to establish waste transfer stations within a maximum distance of five kilometres from communities.
The facilities, he said, would form part of a broader effort to make waste collection more efficient and improve the movement of refuse to final disposal sites, particularly in major cities.
The proposed changes could eventually phase out the current reliance on aboboyas in favour of a more regulated system involving specialised vehicles, electronic payments and waste measurement at transfer stations.
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