ESPA suspends strike
The Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) has suspended an intended strike over non-payment of contract fees following engagement with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
In a statement signed by ESPA’s Executive Secretary, Ama Ofori Antwi, and issued last Friday, the association said further dialogue was expected in the coming days to settle the outstanding payment.
“ESPA wishes to inform all members and stakeholders within the waste management sector that following our earlier press statement dated October 29, 2025, the Government of Ghana, through the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ibrahim Ahmed, has reached out to the association's leadership for urgent dialogue toward resolving the outstanding payment challenges facing our members,” it said.
At a news conference on October 29, 2025, the ESPA threatened to shut down waste management services nationwide if the government failed to settle the outstanding payments owed to waste management contractors by November 7 this year.
The association cited severe operational and financial distress, delays in payments and inadequate fees paid by metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) as reasons for the imminent threat of shutdown.
However, the association did not specify the extent of the government’s indebtedness to its members.
It highlighted that the shutdown would have severe consequences on society, including a potential sanitation emergency, disruption to waste collection services, a threat to thousands of jobs, and widespread environmental degradation.
The association called on the government to release funds for pending payments, and further called for a review of the sanitation and pollution levy and a fixed full-cost recovery fee to ensure the sustainability of waste collection operations.
However, last Friday’s statement said the sector minister had assured ESPA of the government's commitment to process and settle the arrears owed to service providers within the shortest possible time.
It said the call would provide a platform for both parties to discuss sustainable policy and funding mechanisms for the waste management sector moving forward.
“In light of these positive engagements, I, on behalf of the National Executive Council, wish to urge all member companies to suspend the planned nationwide strike originally scheduled to take effect on November 7, 2025,” it stated.
Advice
It also advised members of the ESPA to continue their normal operations in spite of the daunting challenges, as leadership worked closely with the government to reach a firm and mutually beneficial resolution of the impasse.
“ESPA appreciates the patience and cooperation of all service providers who continue to deliver essential sanitation services under the difficult circumstances.
We remain confident that our continued dialogue with the government will yield the necessary outcomes to stabilise the sector and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of workers and the environment,” it said.
The statement further encouraged all members to maintain calm, stay united, and refrain from any action that might disrupt waste collection and sanitation services while negotiations were ongoing.
The ESPA reaffirmed its “unreserved commitment” to ensuring that the interest of every member was protected and Ghana's waste management infrastructure continued to function efficiently for the public good.
