Ghana government receives GH¢44.3m from waste management fund

However, the money is yet to be disbursed to the various service providers to enable them to manage waste in an effective and efficient manner because the regulations to govern its operations are not ready.

Dr Edward Larbi Siaw, Tax policy Adviser at the Ministry of Finance, disclosed this last Thursday in Accra at a panel discussion organised by the Ghana Journalists Association dubbed: “Business Advocate” on Ghana Television.

The programme was supported by BUSAC Fund, Denmark Embassy and the United States Agency for International Development

He was optimistic that by the end of 2016, the required legal regulations and document on disbursement modalities would have been developed to ensure onward transfer of the funds to the service providers in waste management.

Dr Siaw explained that when the legal documentation is finalized for disbursement, it would follow the structure of the Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund.

He noted that waste management was a shared responsibility and urged Ghanaians to keep their surroundings clean.

The Tax Adviser said some of the beneficiaries of the fund would include Environmental Services Providers Association, Zoomlion, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Kumasi Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management Association among others.

He reiterated government’s commitment to supporting private enterprises to manage waste because of the enormous and health concerns it posed to society.

Dr Siaw said the collection of the fund was important because it would support the activities of service providers to management waste, improve infrastructure and ensure clean environment devoid of health diseases.

Mrs Ama A. Ofori-Antwi, the Executive Secretary of Environmental Services Providers Association, said the outfit was engaged in advocacy work for environmental service providers in the country.

She said the Association faced financial difficulties in its operations and urged government to be proactive in developing the necessary legal requirement for the disbursement to empower them to perform effectively.

She urged the public to change their attitude towards sanitation and avoid indiscriminate throwing of rubbish because they negatively affect citizens’ health and national development.

Mr Quaranchie Adama-Tettey, Project Coordinator, Plastic Water Collectors Association, called for private sector to be included in the composition of a board to manage the fund to ensure transparency and fairness.

He urged government to focus on recycling of waste products to make it more productive since there were lots of opportunities in the industry.