The Borla Taxi and Tricycle Association (BTTA) has officially sworn in its newly elected national executives at a ceremony held at the Omanye Hall of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

The event, held yesterday, brought together representatives from key institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Footprints Ghana, ESPA, the Ministry of Local Government, People’s Dialogue, and other partners committed to improving sanitation and waste management across the country.

The inauguration was described by leaders of the Association as a defining moment, signalling a renewed commitment to accountability, professionalism, and service to members and the wider community. The gathering also underscored the growing recognition of informal waste collectors as critical partners in maintaining urban sanitation.

The Executive Chairman of the BTTA Board, Mr Godsway Asamani, said the swearing-in was more than a procedural exercise, describing it as a solemn covenant of responsibility to both members and the nation.

He paid tribute to the outgoing executives for laying a solid foundation that strengthened the Association’s legitimacy in sanitation advocacy and organisational governance. He stressed that the new leadership would prioritise transparency, inclusivity, and strategic direction, while institutionalising gender balance within the Association.

According to him, the board would also focus on strengthening governance structures, deepening partnerships with government and civil society organisations, mobilising financial resources for programmes, and enhancing media engagement to amplify the Association’s advocacy efforts.

Welcoming participants, the Director of Waste Management at the AMA and Chairman of the ceremony, Mr Victor Kortey, described the occasion as an important milestone in the city’s engagement with the informal waste sector.

He noted that although early interactions between the Assembly and informal waste collectors were marked by tension and operational challenges, the AMA chose collaboration over confrontation by registering informal collectors and building their capacity through partnerships with local and international organisations.

Mr Kortey acknowledged the significant role informal waste collectors now play in service delivery and reaffirmed the Assembly’s readiness to continue supporting the Association to succeed.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected BTTA President, Mr Johnbosco Avom Aduko, reflected on the Association’s journey since 2014, recalling periods when members faced harassment from former contractors before organising themselves into a unified body.

Today, he said, the Association has expanded its reach and now operates in areas previously underserved by traditional contractors. He revealed that informal waste workers currently account for an estimated 75 per cent of waste collection in the Greater Accra area, underscoring their importance to the national waste management system.

Mr Aduko urged his fellow executives to remain focused and work diligently to enhance the Association’s image while contributing meaningfully to environmental improvement.

He appealed to the government to address landfill challenges, noting that existing disposal sites around Tema and Kpone are far from operational zones. He added that BTTA’s operations have expanded beyond Accra to cities including Kumasi, Tarkwa, and Takoradi, positioning the Association as a key player in Ghana’s sanitation landscape.