The Minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Western Africa Sub-Regional Workshop on Waste Management and Circular Economy in Accra.

Participants over the next three days will be engaging in discussions that cut across policy, regulation, financing, technology and community engagement, and will also explore practical strategies to improve data systems, integrate inclusive approaches, and scale up circular economy innovations.

Mr. Ibrahim said the challenge before the Region was not only how to dispose of waste safely, but how to transform waste into resources, opportunities, and drivers for sustainable development.

"The concept of the circular economy offers us such an opportunity, one that allows us to reduce waste, recover valuable materials, create green jobs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions," he added.
He said for Ghana, waste management was not just an environmental issue but also a question of public health, economic resilience, and climate action.

The Minister said through the collaboration with United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and other partners, Ghana had been designated as the West Africa Regional Hub for policy support on waste management and resource circularity.

He said this placed on Ghana a responsibility to convene forums such as this, where knowledge could be shared, best practices exchanged, and regional cooperation strengthened.

Mr. Ibrahim urged all participants to be frank, practical, and forward-looking, adding that, "together, we can advance the vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous sub-region."

Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, UNOSD, said with just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the urgency to transition from a linear to a circular economy had never been greater.
He said waste was no longer just a by-product of development but a resource, a challenge, and an opportunity, yet across Western Africa, the open dumping and burning of waste, limited recycling infrastructure, and the marginalisation of the informal sector continue to hinder progress.

Mr. Park said reliable data was the foundation of effective policy however, as highlighted in recent UN assessments, data gaps in waste management remained a significant barrier to evidence-based decision-making.

"This workshop is designed to address these gaps by strengthening technical capacity, promoting regional collaboration, and introducing the Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS), which Ghana is graciously championing as a regional hub," he added.

Mr. Kyonsig Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ghana, said Ghana had already made important strides in this field through initiatives such as the National Plastics Management Policy, the establishment of recycling and composting facilities in every region, and integrated projects that link urban resilience with waste management.
He said these efforts served as a model for the wider West African region.

The Ambassador added that going forward, Korea would work closely with Ghana and Western African countries to contribute to sustainable waste management and the transition toward circular economy initiatives in the region.